WASHINGTON, United States — With the World Cup draw set for Washington this Friday, United States (US) President Donald Trump is expected to feature heavily in the event, welcoming teams and fans from around the globe, even as the administration imposes more restrictions on travel to the country.

A report from the Associated Press indicated that the Trump Administration is hoping that a recent push to expedite visa processing for visitors and World Cup excitement will outweigh global concerns that the president’s immigration messaging is contrary to “the theme of global unity” that the World Cup represents.

The report indicated that in the past week, Trump has exposed particular contempt for Afghans and Somalis and said he wants to “permanently pause immigration from poor countries”.

The report cites critics of the president who say the clashing immigration messages are jarring.

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “The Cup is supposed to be a moment when the world comes together, puts aside the differences to celebrate sport, and while it symbolises the world coming together, you have a president of the United States who is trying to keep the world out, to keep people out. Right there at the most fundamental level, you have a president who represents everything that the World Cup does not stand for,” Van Hollen said.

The report also quoted Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA task force, who rubbished the rumours and told foreign reporters on Wednesday that the narrative that the president is not welcoming to foreigners is false.