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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was voluntary.

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."