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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters traveling to the US to disclose their social media profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this data was optional.

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

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of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. 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 allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."