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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans traveling to the US to hand over personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—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 past five years. Previously, providing this data was voluntary.

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

He continued, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling 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 additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."