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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to hand over their online account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide details about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression 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 creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."