🔗 Share this article

A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was voluntary.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Roots in an Earlier Executive Order

The plan follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency offered context on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect further data from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."