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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to disclose their social media account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide details about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The plan follows an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people safe."

The representative added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."