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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit information about social media accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this data was optional.

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

He added, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order signed by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the matter. "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 first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, especially after the recent incident in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."