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A newly proposed requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to disclose their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

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

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."