### Infantino's Assurance on Athlete Participation in 2024 Paris Olympics Amid U.S. Travel Ban

Gianni Infantino, the long-serving FIFA president, assured global sports fans that athletes, coaches, and support staff attending major sporting events, including the Paris Olympics 2024, would not face entry restrictions into the United States. This declaration came after his participation at the FIFA Congress in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Infantino emphasized, "The world is welcome in America," highlighting that all those involved in significant sports events would be granted entry. However, optimism around his statement quickly waned as U.S. President Donald Trump announced a travel ban impacting citizens from 12 countries. The travel ban, set to commence on Monday, will restrict entry for individuals from Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Athletes and officials from the restricted nations, including Iran, which has secured a place at the 2026 World Cup, will still be allowed entry. However, their supporters will be barred from traveling to the U.S., marking a significant shift from previous open-door policies. This is expected to impact fans from nations such as Haiti and Libya, should they qualify for international tournaments such as the World Cup.

Infantino's close relationship with Trump was meant to facilitate a smooth collaboration for the upcoming games. He supported Trump visibly, notably attending Trump's inauguration and accompanying him on trips to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This alliance, however, now faces challenges due to the new immigration policy.

Reflecting on a stance he took in 2017, Infantino previously asserted that any nation hosting the World Cup must allow entry for all qualifying teams and their fans. This policy shift now contradicts the values of inclusivity and openness that Infantino has championed.

Trump has noted that the list of banned nations could be revised based on improvements in specified areas. Meanwhile, the recent inclusion of events such as the Club World Cup and Concacaf's Gold Cup under the "major" sporting events category suggests a possible leniency in the future. Nonetheless, Infantino's predicament exemplifies the complex interplay between politics and international sports, a vision of harmony that appears increasingly difficult to achieve.