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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to hand over personal social media profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head 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 chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Response and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public secure."

The representative added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in the capital. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."