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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the United States to disclose personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression 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 surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."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 follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent possible."

Government Response and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the American people safe."

The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."