Former President Trump's Proposed Plan for FIFA World Cup Visitors to Disclose Online Activity Described as 'Chilling'

A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to disclose their social media profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."