Spain’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals have been accompanied by an unexpected story off the pitch after 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila revealed that he was denied permission to enter the United States and appealed directly to the US president. Donald Trump for helpSpain face defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s final at New York’s New Jersey Stadium, with Luis de la Fuente’s side bidding to win the country’s second World Cup title after their triumph in South Africa 16 years ago. Capdevila had hoped to attend his former team-mates to support La Roja, but says his travel plans have been thrown into doubt after his application for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was rejected.ESTA allows eligible travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.Writing on X, first Twitter, Capdevila made a public appeal to Trump.“I need help @realDonaldTrump!They just told me that I cannot travel to the end with my children because my ESTA was denied.Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be here with all my 2010 teammates and this team to cheer them on. I can’t believe that they won’t let me in the USA… and that I will miss such a moment with my children who love football so much.If anyone knows how to fix this, I’ll be grateful for life.”Capdevila has not publicly stated why his ESTA application was denied, and there has been no official response from US authorities or the White House regarding his appeal.The former left-back remains one of the key figures in Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup-winning side under Vicente del Bosque.Capdevila played every minute of Spain’s victorious campaign in South Africa, helping La Roja build one of the strongest defensive records in World Cup history. Spain conceded just two goals, both during the group stage, before keeping clean sheets in all knockout rounds on their way to defeating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in the final.His importance to the side was further reflected in his defensive work. Equally effective in attack and defence, Capdevila finished among the tournament’s top 10 players for distance covered, running 71.79 kilometers in Spain’s seven matches.He also occupied a unique place in Vicente del Bosque’s starting XI. Capdevila was the only player in Spain’s line-up for the 2010 World Cup finals who was not representing either Real Madrid or Barcelona at the time, establishing himself as Villarreal’s first-choice left-back. The former Spain international, now 48, retired from professional football in 2017 after concluding his career with FC Santa Coloma.Spain are now aiming to lift the World Cup for the second time, while Argentina are chasing a fourth world title and trying to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the trophy. Whether Capdevila will be able to witness the occasion in person remains uncertain after his reported travel encounter.