Spain legend Capdevila begs Trump for US entry after ESTA denied over 2016 Iran charity match before World Cup final
Former Spain left-back Joan Capdevila was denied ESTA authorisation to enter the United States with his children for Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The 48-year-old 2010 world champion publicly asked President Donald Trump to intervene.
The denied trip
Joan Capdevila, the former Spain left-back who started in the 2010 World Cup final, posted an urgent appeal on X after learning his ESTA application had been rejected. "I need help Donald Trump," he wrote. "I was just told I cannot travel to the final with my children because my ESTA was denied." The 48-year-old had planned to attend Sunday's match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, alongside the rest of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad, who were invited by the Spanish Football Federation.
You have no idea how much I was looking forward to being there with all my 2010 teammates and this team to cheer them on.
The 2016 charity match in Tehran
The denial traces back to a Liga Legends charity match Capdevila played in Tehran, Iran, on 25 August 2016. Under current US rules, having travelled to Iran triggers an automatic ESTA ineligibility, even if the visit occurred a decade ago. In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Capdevila said he had not specified the Iran trip on his application, but authorities were aware of it. "I was there 10 years ago, in 2016, for a Liga match, a normal match in Iran, and apparently if you have been in Iran you cannot enter the United States," he recounted.
I cannot believe I am not allowed to enter the USA and that I am missing a moment like this with my children, who love football so much.
Capdevila's fellow legends Fernando Morientes and Michel Salgado also participated in the same Tehran exhibition.
The public appeal
Capdevila's X post tagged Trump directly, and he later added US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Spain's education ministry. "If someone knows how to fix this, I will be grateful from the bottom of my heart for life," he wrote. The Spanish federation attempted to mediate through FIFA, but the effort was unsuccessful as of Friday. Capdevila, now an institutional representative for Espanyol, remains hopeful that a White House official might take notice before Sunday's kick-off.
If someone knows how to fix this, I will be grateful from the bottom of my heart for life.
The final at MetLife
Spain, led by coach Luis de la Fuente and built around teenager Lamine Yamal, reached the final after a dominant semi-final win over France. Argentina, the defending champions, are captained by Lionel Messi. The match kicks off Sunday at 21:00 CEST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York City. Capdevila's former teammates Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, David Villa, and Xavi Hernandez have all been seen at earlier Spain matches during the tournament.
- Capdevila plays Liga Legends charity match in Tehran, Iran, alongside Morientes and Salgado
- ESTA application denied; Capdevila posts public appeal on X tagging Trump
- Spanish federation attempts FIFA-mediated intervention; effort unsuccessful
- Capdevila tags Rubio and Spanish ministry in follow-up post; no official response yet
- World Cup final: Spain vs Argentina at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
The ESTA programme allows visa-free entry for citizens of certain nations, but a past visit to Iran, Iraq, Syria, or other designated countries cancels that eligibility. Capdevila's plea has drawn attention in Spain, where fans and media have amplified his message. No US official has publicly responded as of Friday morning.
