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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the United States to disclose personal online profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, executive director 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 enter a country."

He continued, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. The measure is in line with the January 2025 directive 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."