Trump's veto raises concerns among World Cup and Olympic attendees

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a11

Geneva. US President Donald Trump often says the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are among the events he's most excited about during his second term.

However, there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning to visit the U.S. for the two major sporting events.

The latest travel ban on citizens of 12 countries has added further questions about the impact the policies will have on the World Cup and Summer Olympics, which depend on the hosts opening their doors to the world.

Here's a look at the potential effects of the ban.

As of early Monday, citizens of 12 countries would be barred from entering the United States.

The banned nations are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Additionally, the administration indicated that stricter restrictions will apply to visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Trump said some countries had poor screening and vetting processes or had historically refused to take back their own citizens.

Iran, a soccer powerhouse in Asia, is the only country included in the ban that has already qualified for the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Cuba, Haiti, and Sudan are in contention. Sierra Leone still has a chance to advance via the playoffs . Burundi, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya are very unlikely to be the next best option.

The ban would not affect teams that qualify for the World Cup because the new policy makes exceptions for any athlete or member of a sports team, including coaches, support staff, and immediate family members, traveling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or another major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State .

Around 200 countries could send athletes to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, including those affected by the latest travel restrictions. Exceptions should apply to them as well if the ban remains in place in its current form.

The travel ban does not include any exceptions for fans from affected countries wishing to travel to the United States for the World Cup or Olympics.

Even before this ban was announced, it was already difficult for Iranian soccer fans living in the country to obtain a visa for the World Cup.

For many nations, fans traveling to the World Cup—an expensive travel plan with high flight and hotel prices—are often from the diaspora, wealthier, and may have different passport options.

Visitors to the Olympic Games are typically even more elite, and although tourism for a summer Games is lower than the World Cup, there are even fewer visitors from the 19 affected countries.

FIFA strengthens ties

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly forged close ties with Trump since 2018. He has cited the need to ensure the smooth operation of the tournament, which will generate much of the organization's expected $13 billion in revenue between 2023 and 2026.

Any visa and security issues FIFA faces—including the 32-team Club World Cup, which begins next week in Miami—may help Los Angeles Games organizers refine their plans.

FIFA and the IOC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump's new travel ban.

The 2018 World Cup host, Russia, allowed fans to enter the country with a match ticket that also served as a visa. Qatar did the same in 2022.

But both governments also conducted background checks on all visitors attending the tournaments.

▲ The Jordanians celebrate their first time playing in football's most important tournament, after securing their place in the tournament following a thrashing of Oman. Photo @fifa

Reuters and Prensa Latina

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a11

Muscat. The 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada will feature two teams making their debut in soccer's most important tournament. Jordan and Uzbekistan secured their first-ever spot in the tournament, while South Korea also qualified yesterday through the Asian qualifying rounds.

The celebration came for Jordan after their 3-0 thrashing of Oman. Forward Ali Olwan became the Jordanians' key player, scoring a hat trick (45+7, 51, and 64) at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Stadium in Muscat to achieve the feat.

Jordan created a professional football league in 1944, which now has 12 teams, with Al-Faisaly SC being the most successful team with 35 titles. Now, the country will compete in its first World Cup, having placed second in Group B.

In Abu Dhabi, Uzbekistan secured their place in the group stage after eight attempts, drawing 0-0 with the United Arab Emirates. The result moved them into second place in Group A, behind Iran, which has already secured its place in the Cup.

The South Koreans also qualified by reaffirming their position at the top of Group B with a 2-0 victory over Iraq. Kim Jin-gyu (63) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (82) scored the goals to ensure the Asian country competed in its 11th consecutive World Cup.

In the CONMEBOL qualifiers, Ecuador moved closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup by securing a goalless draw against Brazil, who continued to struggle to find effective play, even with Carlo Ancelotti's debut as their coach.

Ecuador remained in second place in the standings with 24 points, only behind the already qualified and current world champion Argentina, which beat Chile 1-0 with a goal by Julián Álvarez (16).

Brazil sits in fourth place with 22 points and will look to improve under Ancelotti when they face Paraguay on June 10.

Spain, finalist in the Nations League

In the European Nations League, Lamine Yamal led Spain to a 5-4 victory over France to advance to the tournament final, where they will face Portugal, home to star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

The European champions withstood the initial attacks from France, but then showed authority with a double from Yamal (54 from penalties and 67), and goals from Nico Williams (22), Mikel Merino (25) and Pedri (55).

▲ Last season, the Scarlet Ninth broke its own attendance record with 505,726 people. Photo: Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium

Karla Torrijos

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a12

The players' tenacity and dedication in every game has been the key to the recent success of the Diablos Rojos, current champions of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB), said Othón Díaz, executive president of the scarlet team, who also assured that this season there is no other objective than to achieve the second championship .

The Pingos ended a 10-year streak without being crowned champion in September 2024, when they won their 17th title in history, becoming the most successful team in the LMB.

The strong results from last season have carried over into the current season, where the Diablos Rojos del México are the team with the most wins, with 31 wins and only eight losses.

Furthermore, the capital's team's success is not limited to achievements on the diamond, as its home stadium, the Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium, has seen a notable increase in fan attendance in recent years, even surpassing some soccer teams.

In the 2024 season, the Scarlets broke their own home attendance record, registering 505,726 people throughout the tournament.

For Díaz Valenzuela, these achievements are due to "the intensity of each match. The players' attitude, that ability to feel proud of what they're doing on the field, has made people identify with the team."

Today, the days of fans just coming to the bar are over. The public is now deeply involved in the sport, they've fallen in love with it. Now, every game is incredibly exciting, we have exciting duels, and that's thanks to the players' efforts in recent years. We've set out to be one of the best teams in Mexican baseball, and I think we're achieving that goal.

Díaz noted that "previously, it was very common among different baseball teams that, if they were winning the series, they would relax by the third game, and we changed that dynamic.

Nowadays, if you watch the Red Devils, there's never a game where the pace slows down. The players never give up, they fight for victory until the last inning, and that's what people like: having a team that never gives up and gives everything for its fans.

Likewise, the director explained that the increase in the number of attendees at the venue located within the Magdalena Mixiuhca Sports City has also been the result of an entire process in our infrastructure, which began with the idea of ​​making a very attractive stadium for our fans, with a 360 experience, with which we began to truly involve them in what baseball is .

Yesterday, Díaz attended the presentation of the commemorative watch for the scarlet team's 17th title. It was manufactured by Bomberg, and only 400 pieces will be available to the public, valued at 23,900 pesos. He also announced that more activities will be held in the coming months in honor of the historic victory.

From the Editorial Staff, AFP and AP

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a12

Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, has postponed his retirement and will play with the Pittsburgh Steelers next season, the NFL announced yesterday on social media.

At 41 years old, Rodgers quelled the rumors that have been swirling for months by accepting the offer from the team led by Mike Tomlin.

Speculation mounted after the quarterback visited the team's facility in late March, arriving incognito wearing a hat and sunglasses.

According to local media, the Super Bowl 45 champion with the Green Bay Packers could sign his one-year contract this Friday and join the team before the start of preseason training, which begins next Tuesday.

The four-time NFL MVP is expected to have a very exciting debut in a Pittsburgh uniform, facing the New York Jets, his former team, in the season opener on September 7.

Earlier this year, the New York team released Rodgers after two very disappointing seasons. The first, the quarterback was virtually unskilled due to a serious injury in his debut.

Since leaving the Jets, Rodgers' future has been up in the air, as he has not publicly confirmed whether he intends to continue playing or retire.

The Steelers, who haven't won a playoff series since 2017, were considered Rodgers' likely destination if he remained active, especially since quarterback Russell Wilson's departure to the New York Giants in March.

Before the Jets, Rodgers played nearly two decades with the Green Bay Packers, whom he led to a title in 2011, and now he'll lead the Steelers' offense, as they attempt to break a 15-year Super Bowl streak in the 2025 season.

Rodgers will join a team that has made several changes at the position since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. The veteran player will compete for the starting job with Mason Rudolph, who returned to Pittsburgh on a two-year contract in March, so the Steelers will have their fifth Week 1 starter in five seasons.

Pittsburgh has maintained its competitiveness, to a degree, amid constant turnover at the most important position on the field. It has reached the playoffs four times in the last five seasons, only to be quickly eliminated from the postseason.

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a12

Paris. World number one in women's tennis, Aryna Sabalenka, ended Poland's Iga Swiatek's 26-match winning streak at the French Open yesterday and reached her first Roland Garros final, where she will face American Coco Gauff, world number two.

"It feels amazing, but I also understand that the job is not done yet ," said the 27-year-old Belarusian, who took the top spot in the WTA rankings from Swiatek last October. "She's the toughest opponent, especially on the clay at Roland Garros. I'm proud to have achieved this victory ."

Sabalenka's 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory over Swiatek prevented the Pole from becoming the first woman to win four consecutive championships at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament since professionals were admitted in 1968.

With the roof of the Philippe Chatrier court closed on a rainy day, there was no wind or other elements against the rallies, and both produced magnificent tennis at times. But in the end, the difference was that when Sabalenka decided to hit hard, she forced Swiatek into making mistakes. "I lost a little bit of my intensity ," the Pole admitted. " I just couldn't counterattack ," she added.

Swiatek's racquet included 12 unforced errors in the third set compared to none for Sabalenka. A difficult run continues for the 24-year-old Pole, who hasn't reached a final since capturing her third consecutive trophy—and fifth Grand Slam title—12 months ago in Paris. She recently fell to number five in the rankings .

Her losing streak included elimination in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was then suspended for a month after testing positive for a banned substance.

On the other hand, Sabalenka is undoubtedly the best there is in women's tennis right now. Even before reaching this final, her six title match appearances this year are the most for a woman before the French Open since Serena Williams in 2013.

On Saturday, she will face Coco Gauff in the final. Gauff reached her second Roland Garros final by defeating local player Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2, ending the Frenchwoman's strong performance.

▲ In the first game of the NBA Finals, Indiana silenced the Oklahoma City crowd in their home stadium. AP Photo

Ap

La Jornada Newspaper, Friday, June 6, 2025, p. a31

Oklahoma. With a last-gasp score from Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 last night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, a historic comeback victory.

The Pacers trailed by 15 points with 9:42 remaining, matching the largest fourth-quarter comeback in a Finals game since Dallas overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Miami on June 2, 2011.

Thus, Indiana found a way to pull off the victory. Dressed in white, the home fans couldn't counter the momentum of the playoff kings of last-minute comebacks . After 25 years without a decisive game, they stamped their name in the final 0.3 seconds and managed to rally to take the lead in the series.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the game's leading player, scoring 38 points for the Thunder, while Pascal Siakam powered the visitors with 19. While both teams' performances were crucial in sparking a thrilling game, Haliburton emerged as the star of the show, saving the Indiana franchise with a daring shot that clinched the game.

So, once again, Indiana found a way to come out on top in the waning game, just as they did a few weeks ago against Milwaukee, Cleveland, and New York. The next game in the series is tomorrow.