MADRID (AP) — Former Spain defender Joan Capdevila has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for help getting into the United States to watch Spain face Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, after being denied authorization to travel a decade after playing in an exhibition game in Iran.
In 2010, Capdevila helped Spain win its only men's World Cup title, starting in the final against the Netherlands, and he was a member of the team that won the 2008 European Championship.
But he is worried he will miss Sunday's final and addressed Trump in a post on X, saying his application for visa-free entry via the country’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization ( ESTA ) was denied. Visitors from select countries who want to enter the U.S. without a visa apply via ESTA.
"“I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!” Capdevila posted on X on Friday night, adding that his ESTA application was denied.
Capdevila also sent a separate message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and tagged the Spanish government’s ministry of sport in his post.
The 48-year-old Capdevila wrote that he wants to be at the game in New Jersey “with all my 2010 teammates” to cheer on the current Spain squad.
Ten years ago, Capdevila was part of a Spanish La Liga legends exhibition team that faced a team of all-stars from Iran in Tehran.
The U.S. State Department allows travelers from “visa waiver” countries to enter with an ESTA. The program's rules specify instances in which travelers are not eligible for ESTA — one of which being if they've traveled to Iran after March 1, 2011 — and if so they “must obtain a visa prior to traveling to the United States.”
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
FILE - Spain's Joan Capdevila during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Green Point stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — CJ Abrams and James Wood both homered twice and drove in three runs as the Washington Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7 on Sunday to take two of three games in their weekend series.
Dylan Crews and Abrams each had three of Washington's 15 hits. The surprising Nationals (54-52) moved within a game of Arizona for the final National League playoff spot in a crowded wild-card race.
The 25-year-old Abrams leads the majors with 82 RBIs. He has 27 home runs this season, breaking the franchise record for shortstops set by Ian Desmond with 25 in 2012.
Wood leads the team with 30 homers, including a two-run shot that tied the score at 4 in the fifth inning. Three batters later, Abrams connected for a two-run drive off Jonathan Loáisiga (2-3) that put Washington ahead for good.
It was Abrams' seventh homer in his last seven games.
Brady House and Jacob Young hit consecutive RBI soubles in the seventh. Young scored on a throwing error by pitcher Brandyn Garcia to make it 9-4, and Wood tacked on a solo homer in the eighth.
House also doubled in his first at-bat and scored on Young's single. House was recalled from the minors to play third base after Curtis Mead was traded to Boston for left-hander Connelly Early on Saturday night.
Riley Cornelio (2-1) gave up one run in two innings for the win. Clayton Beeter got three outs for his 10th save.
Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte homered for Arizona. Gabriel Moreno had two hits and two RBIs.
Moreno has reached base safely in 42 straight games.
Diamondbacks: RHP Merrill Kelly (8-8, 5.12 ERA) faces Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.90) in a series opener Monday.
Nationals: LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-3, 4.22 ERA) starts Monday against Toronto.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Washington Nationals' Brady House scores a run on a Nationals' Jacob Young RBI single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals Brady House hits a double during the second inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals left fielder Dylan Crews, left, center fielder Jacob Young, center, and right fielder James Wood, right, celebrate after their team's victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals' James Wood runs around the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams hits a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
