🔗 Share this article

A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public safe."

The representative added, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."