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A newly proposed requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to 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 surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."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 Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Government Response and Justification

A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."