2026 World Cup Fans Brace for Unprecedented Social Media Surveillance

A new proposal submitted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (C.B.P.) suggests that international fans traveling to America for the 2026 World Cup may face comprehensive social media background checks.

The filing, submitted to the Federal Register, specifically affects visitors from 42 nations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and South Korea, who plan to enter America via the visa waiver program, which permits foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. for up to 90 days without requiring a visa.

Individuals seeking to utilize this program must first secure electronic travel authorization. Currently, applicants only need to pay $40 and provide an email address, residential address, phone number and emergency contact details.

However, the procedure is set to become significantly more comprehensive as the United States prepares for the influx of tourists expected during the 2026 World Cup. C.B.P. announced plans to request extensive personal information, including a "required" social media examination covering up to five years.

Applicants would additionally need to provide email addresses from the past decade and phone numbers used within the last five years, along with personal details about their parents, spouses, siblings and children.

The C.B.P. is accepting public feedback on this proposal for the next 60 days.

Proposed Changes Could Hinder World Cup Travelers

The enhanced vetting of Electronic System for Travel Authorization applicants could lead to significant delays for travelers planning to visit the United States, according to Bo Cooper from immigration law firm Fragomen.

The partner also cautions about the "heightened risk of being flagged" or refused entry to the United States, particularly since the new approach would examine "digital communications" and make determinations based on "judgment calls."

These potential new procedures aren't limited to World Cup attendees, but they would presumably be implemented before next summer's competition, impacting millions of individuals planning to visit the United States to experience soccer's premier event.

U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement has been a focal point of conversation leading up to the 2026 World Cup. The 79-year-old previously threatened to relocate certain matches from what he considered "dangerous" host cities, including Boston, Seattle and San Francisco, last September.

Vice President J.D. Vance also previously advised visiting fans against remaining in the United States after the tournament ends, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned: "Don't exceed your visa duration."

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