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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans traveling to the United States to hand over their online profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director 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, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order issued 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 representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."