World Cup 2026: Joan Capdevila appeals to US President Donald Trump after visa denial

Former Spain international Joan Capdevila has made a plea to US President Donald Trump for help after he says he was denied a visa to enter the United States before Sunday’s World Cup final.

Capdevila, 48, was part of the Spain team that defeated the Netherlands to win the 2010 World Cup final.

The retired full-back was hoping to reunite with his former team-mates and watch Spain’s second World Cup final appearance when they take on Argentina at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday (20:00 BST).

“I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!” Capdevila posted on X on Friday.

“They just told me that I can’t travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA has been denied.”

The former Villarreal and Deportivo defender added: “Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 team-mates and this team to cheer them on.

“I can’t believe they’re not letting me into the USA… and that I’ll miss a moment like this with my kids who love soccer so much.

“If anyone knows how to fix this, I’ll be grateful to you for life.”

Capdevila also called on Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, to help resolve his situation and tagged the Spanish government’s ministry of sport in his post.