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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to disclose personal online account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all aliens wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."