Spain’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has been accompanied by an unexpected story after 2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila revealed that she was denied entry into the United States and appealed to the US President. Donald Trump for help.Spain face defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s final at New York’s New Jersey Stadium, as Luis de la Fuente’s side look to win the country’s second World Cup after winning in South Africa 16 years ago. Capdevila had hoped to join his former teammates in support of La Roja, but says his travel plans have been thrown into doubt after his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application was rejected.ESTA allows eligible travelers to visit the United States for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Capdevila appealed to Trump.“I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!They just told me that I can’t go last with my children because my ESTA has been rejected.Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how happy I was to be there with all my 2010 friends and this team to cheer them on. I can’t believe they won’t let me into the USA… and that I’m going to miss a moment like this with my kids who love soccer so much.If someone knows how to fix this, I will thank you for the rest of my life.”Capdevila has not publicly said why his ESTA application was denied, and there has been no official response from US officials or the White House regarding his appeal.The former left-back remains one of the most important figures in Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph under Vicente del Bosque.Capdevila played every minute of Spain’s win in South Africa, helping La Roja produce one of the best defensive records in World Cup history. Spain conceded just two goals in the group stage, before keeping a clean sheet in the knockout stages en route to beating the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time.His importance on the sideline was shown more than his defensive work. Equally effective in attack and defence, Capdevila finished among the top 10 players in distance travel, running 71.79 kilometers across Spain’s seven matches.He also had a special place in Vicente del Bosque’s starting XI. Capdevila was the only player in Spain’s 2010 World Cup finals who did not represent Real Madrid or Barcelona at the time, having established himself as a first-choice left-back at Villarreal. The former Spain international, now 48, retired from football in 2017 after finishing his career with FC Santa Coloma.Spain are now looking to lift the World Cup again, while Argentina are chasing a fourth world title and trying to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the trophy. Whether Capdevila will be able to witness the ceremony remains unclear after he returns home.