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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to disclose personal social media account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, submitting this data was voluntary.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."