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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the United States to hand over their online account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure 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 required to submit information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"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 gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. The measure is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."