WADA denies reports of ban on Trump attending World Cup

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that it does not plan to bar US President Donald Trump or American officials from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics over unpaid contributions from the United States.

Earlier, Associated Press journalist Eddie Pells published an article suggesting that Trump and US officials could be blocked from attending the World Cup, most of which will be held in the US, and the Los Angeles Olympics, due to the country’s failure to pay its annual WADA fee. Pells reported that WADA’s executive committee would review the issue at an upcoming meeting.

WADA clarified that the AP article is misleading. “Even if proposals that were being discussed amongst stakeholders were introduced, ‘given that the rules would not apply retroactively, the FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games would not be covered’,” the agency said. WADA added that Pells omitted this statement from his article, potentially undermining the accuracy of his report.

“In fact, discussions related to the issue of governments unilaterally withholding funding from WADA have been ongoing since early 2020 and have nothing specifically to do with the US. A working group involving representatives of governments, the Sport Movement and WADA was set up in 2022, a period when the US was still paying its annual contribution. 

A specific proposal arose out of the working group aimed at better protecting WADA’s funding so that it can deliver on its global collaborative movement for doping-free sport. If WADA’s funding is cut, it is ultimately athletes around the world – including in the US – who will suffer. Indeed, athletes (including those on WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board) have continuously expressed their support for this initiative.  

To be clear, any decision on this matter would be for the WADA Foundation Board, which is comprised of worldwide governments, the Sport Movement and independent members. The next Foundation Board meeting is scheduled for November 2026,” the agency noted

In January 2025, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) withheld WADA’s $3.6 million fee over concerns about doping tests of Chinese swimmers. WADA stated that while nonpayment results in automatic exclusion of US representatives from its executive committee and foundation board, it does not affect US athletes’ participation in international competitions. In June, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn indicated plans to discuss legislation with the Trump administration that could allow suspending WADA payments.

By Jeyhun Aghazada