🔗 Share this article

A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the US to disclose personal online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide details about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of 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of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Official Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."