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A newly proposed requirement for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal online profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."