2026 World Cup: U.S. to Demand 5 Years Of Social Media History From European & VWP Visitors

New Pre-Travel Screening Rules Target Visitors Ahead of 2026 World Cup.

The U.S. government is proposing a new rule that would require travelers from 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries including the UK, France, Germany, and others to submit five years of social media activity, emails, and biometric data before entering the country.

The proposed measure, aimed at strengthening security, comes just months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see millions of international visitors heading to North America.

Key points:

• Travelers must provide social media posts, emails, and biometric info from the last five years.
• Applies to all VWP travelers, including tourists and business visitors.
• Intended to screen for potential security risks before entry.
• Could affect travel planning for football fans, business travelers, and tourists ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Critics have warned that the policy could discourage tourism, raise privacy concerns, and create bureaucratic delays at airports.

The new rule is still under review, with no official implementation date yet announced.