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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to disclose personal online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit information about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, submitting this information was voluntary.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the official said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the public secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in Washington DC. 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 enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."