New Delhi, Jan. 16 -- The Trump administration has identified a host of athletic competitions it classifies as "major sporting events" - aside from soccer's 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games - that athletes and coaches will be allowed to travel to the U.S. to take part in despite a broad visa ban on nearly 40 countries.

In a cable sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates Wednesday, the State Department said athletes, coaches and support staff for the World Cup, the Olympics and events endorsed or run by a long list of collegiate and professional sporting leagues and associations would not be subject to the full and partial travel bans that apply to citizens of 39 countries and the Palestinian Authority.

However, the cable made ...