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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Guardian sport

Zambia remove US-based players due to Trump immigration policy fears

Barbra Banda (22) of Orlando Pride controls ball during the NWSL regular season game against Gotham FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ on March 23, 2025.
Barbra Banda is Zambia’s captain but won’t be joining the team in China. Photograph: Lev Radin/REX/Shutterstock

The Zambia women’s national team have decided to remove their four US-based players from their squad for upcoming games due to concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policy, the country’s football federation announced on Wednesday.

The policies have created significant uncertainty for foreigners looking to leave or re-enter the United States after time abroad. In March, a French scientist was detained and his phone was searched upon arriving in Houston for a conference.

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