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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to hand over their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this information was optional.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all aliens wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."