Joan Capdevila Seeks Help from Trump to Attend FIFA World Cup Final

As Spain prepares to face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final, former defender Joan Capdevila finds himself in a predicament after his ESTA application was denied. Seeking assistance from Donald Trump, Capdevila expresses his disappointment at potentially missing the match. His past travels to Iran have complicated his entry into the U.S., highlighting the challenges faced by international travelers. This situation adds an unexpected twist to an already thrilling World Cup finale. Will Capdevila find a way to attend the match and support his team?

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 19, 2026, 09:00 IST

Spain vs. Argentina: A Historic Showdown

On Sunday, Spain will compete against Argentina for the FIFA World Cup title at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. In a surprising twist, former Spanish defender Joan Capdevila has reached out to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance after his request for visa-free entry into the U.S. was rejected. Capdevila, who played a crucial role in Spain's victory during the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands, is anxious about potentially missing this significant match. He expressed his dismay on social media, revealing that his application for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was denied, which left him in disbelief.

“I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!” Capdevila tweeted on Friday night, sharing his frustration over the ESTA denial.

🚨 ¡NECESITO AYUDA @realDonaldTrump ! 🙏Me acaban de decir que no puedo viajar a la final con mis hijos porque me han denegado el ESTA 😭¿Alguien me puede ayudar con esto? No sabéis la ilusión que me hacía poder estar allí con todos mis compañeros de 2010 y con este equipo… pic.twitter.com/VH9wakzaH1
— Joan Capdevila (@capde11) July 17, 2026

In addition, Capdevila reached out to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and tagged the Spanish Ministry of Sports in his plea. The 48-year-old expressed his desire to attend the match in New Jersey alongside his teammates from 2010 to support the current Spanish team.

Understanding Capdevila's Visa Denial

Capdevila's visa issues stem from a past event where he participated in an exhibition match in Tehran with a team of Spanish La Liga legends against an all-star team from Iran. The U.S. State Department's ESTA program permits travelers from certain countries to enter the U.S. without a visa. However, there are specific restrictions, including a ban on those who have traveled to Iran after March 1, 2011, who must then apply for a visa before entering the United States.