A significant visa controversy has emerged just ahead of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match between Jamaican club Mount Pleasant FA and MLS side LA Galaxy. The Caribbean team arrived in Los Angeles with a severely weakened squad after ten players, including seven Haitian nationals, were denied entry to the United States due to immigration restrictions.
The situation stems from President Donald Trump’s immigration policies that include blanket bans on entry from 19 countries, Haiti among them. This development has sparked concerns about potential impacts on international sporting events, including the upcoming World Cup.
CONCACAF, the governing body for football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, issued a statement indicating that Mount Pleasant FA had sufficient time to complete visa applications following December 2025’s official draw. The organization emphasized that participating clubs are responsible for submitting visa applications within required timeframes and may register up to 35 players according to competition regulations.
Despite the roster challenges, CONCACAF confirmed the match would proceed as scheduled on Wednesday. Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore addressed the situation at a pre-match press conference, acknowledging the significance of having a complete squad while expressing confidence in his available players’ determination to overcome the adversity and focus on the competition.
The incident highlights the complex intersection of international sports and immigration policy, raising questions about how geopolitical factors might affect future international tournaments and athlete participation.