Trump's Controversial Plan for FIFA World Cup Visitors to Disclose Social Media Histories Described as 'Chilling'
A newly proposed requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to disclose personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers
Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this information was optional.
"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He continued, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."
Origins in an Previous Executive Order
The plan follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent possible."
Official Response and Justification
A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the United States," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people secure."
The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."
