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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to hand over their online profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director 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, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the United States," the official said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."