Gary Lineker has spoken out about visa and entry concerns for the World Cup 2026 in the United States and disclosed White House talks
Gary Lineker has opened up about obtaining a visa to travel to North America for the 2026 World Cup and worries over potential entry bans. The England legend also disclosed he has held discussions with the White House.
With the major tournament approaching, anxiety remains that numerous supporters and fans could be denied entry to the United States because of visa complications and Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Two participating nations, Iran and Haiti, currently face a US travel ban.
Reports have also emerged of journalists facing social media scrutiny and device inspections when entering the country. Lineker will be present in North America for the competition as his podcast, The Rest Is Football, has secured a daily show agreement with Netflix to be recorded in New York City.
Co-presenters Micah Richards and Alan Shearer will also feature on the programmes. Lineker, who departed the BBC sooner than anticipated last year following an anti-semitism controversy, has now addressed the anxieties many share regarding visas and US entry.
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“We live in crazy times,” Lineker remarked during a recent Q&A on LBC. “The whole world order is shifting quickly and obviously we don’t know what will happen with the World Cup.
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“But I’ve got to be slightly careful [what I say] because I want them to let me in! But no, we’re well down the line [with a visa]. I think it’ll be fine. The White House have reached out to us.
“They’ve said how much they respect the podcast and want to play a part, which is.. Not him [Trump] obviously. The chap who’s in charge of the World Cup section of the White House, I should say.
“But I think we’ll be alright. I’ve covered so many World Cups and played in a couple and it’s always the same beforehand. There are always concerns, there are always worries. Some of them are bigger than others.
“For Russia, [they hosted it] not long after they’d invaded Crimea. Four years ago, there were all these things and people dying constructing the stadiums. All this sort of stuff.
“There is always something before a major tournament. I remember in Brazil there were massive protests by all the people, saying they’d spent all this money on stadiums and it wasn’t right that they were hosting the World Cup. South Africa had its issues.
“Everywhere we’ve been has and it’ll be the same in this one and people will speak about it and discuss it and then the football starts. Then, by and large, it’s always been alright from that point.
“I mean, I have my doubts and I have my worries and I have my concerns but I think it’ll be okay. I hope it’ll be okay but I don’t know because the world has gone mad!”
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