⚠️ “Very Scary”: Castellanos Raises Red Flag Over Potential Travel Restrictions Affecting NWSL Players
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Thorns FC forward and Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos has expressed growing concern over potential U.S. travel bans that could impact her and other international NWSL players, calling the situation “very scary.”
Speaking to media this week, Castellanos explained why she declined a call-up to Venezuela’s national team, citing uncertainty about whether she’d be able to re-enter the U.S. if she left.
“The uncertainty of like, yeah, I can go home, but not knowing if I can come back is something that is very scary,” she said. “Not just for me, but for players across the league.”
✈️ Missed National Team Duty: A Career-Saving Choice?
Castellanos sat out Venezuela’s recent friendlies against Panama, choosing to remain in the U.S. and continue training with the Thorns:
“It was very sad I couldn’t go with the national team,” she added. “But I think it was the right decision… to keep playing here in the U.S.”
🌍 Other NWSL Internationals Stay Put Amid Visa Fears
Castellanos isn’t alone. Several international players also skipped national duty, including:
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Barbra Banda, Prisca Chilufya, Grace Chanda (Orlando Pride)
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Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC)
The Zambia Football Association confirmed their absence was due to “recently introduced measures” — a clear sign of growing immigration unease.
🧠 NWSL and Leadership Responds
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman acknowledged the broader impact and confirmed the league is actively supporting affected players:
“We’ve seen many times where professional sports leagues are impacted by policy discussions. We’re here to educate, prepare, and support our athletes.”
🏆 What This Means for U.S. Soccer & Global Tournaments
With the U.S. set to host:
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2024 Concacaf Gold Cup
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2025 FIFA Club World Cup
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2026 FIFA World Cup (with Canada & Mexico)
Any changes to entry policies could pose huge logistical and diplomatic challenges. Federations and clubs are watching closely.
“We’ve been working on visa dynamics for decades,” Berman said. “And we’ll still be navigating them 20 years from now. It’s part of the global game.”
💬 Castellanos: “I Just Want to Play — And Stay”
As the next FIFA women’s international window nears in May, many players like Castellanos are left hoping for clarity — and protection.
“I just want to play,” she said. “But I also need to make sure I can continue to do that here.”
