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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the US to hand over personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit details about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."