Thousands of England fans could be banned from the World Cup in the United States by Donald Trump. The strict immigration rules the US President has brought in since taking office could mean legions of football fans may struggle to get visas – for as little as an anti-Trump tweet.
Travel experts have warned supporters who want to see the Three Lions go for glory in next year’s tournament need to wipe their social media accounts to ensure they have not posted messages of which Don may not approve. Jessie Chambers, from working holiday provider Global Work & Travel, said fans should treat the tournament as a ‘high risk’ event rather than a fun holiday.
She said she is already seeing an increased scrutiny for international visitors to the US. That could spell trouble for supporters planning to travel to matches in the States which is jointly hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada.
Jessie said: “We’re already seeing people being refused entry for things as small as old tweets, minor criminal records, or incorrect ESTA answers. With Trump’s administration reinstating stricter entry rules fans need to treat this World Cup as a high-risk travel event – not a holiday you can book last minute.
“Offensive posts, political content, or even jokes about security or drugs can raise red flags. It’s not about censorship -it’s about perception.
“The US wants to know exactly who’s entering during such a major global event.” Jessie said social media was now routine for would-be travellers to the US.
Border agents can review activity linked to a traveller’s visa application. As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America, travel experts are warning that thousands of football fans from the UK and Europe could be refused entry to the United States due to tightening visa checks, social media screening, and renewed border policies under Donald Trump’s presidency.
“We’re telling fans to treat visa prep like match prep – the earlier you start the less likely you’ll get caught offside by the rules,” Jessie said. “Some people think the ESTA is guaranteed but even one wrong tick box can see you turned back at the gate.”
Experts warned old criminal records or police cautions could also trigger refusals. They include for offences such as disorderly conduct or driving bans under US ‘moral character’ clauses.
Travellers are urged to apply for B-1 or B-2 visas early if they have ever been arrested or charged as an ESTA may be automatically denied. Trump’s administration has promised ‘zero tolerance’ on visa overstays and background mismatches.
Border officials now have more power to question and refuse travellers even if their visa is technically valid. With over 400-day wait times for visa interviews in some European embassies foreign fans could miss the start of the tournament if they do not apply early.
Citizens of certain nations – or those with dual nationality links to countries under US travel restrictions – may need additional waivers which can take months to process. Global Work & Travel has seen a spike in visa support queries since the World Cup host cities were confirmed.
Jessie suggested fans wanting to see the tournament should ‘apply now’ and ‘clean’ their ‘digital footprint’. “Delete or lock down social media posts that could be seen as controversial,” she said.
Fans should also avoid ‘backdoor’ routes as travelling via Canada or Mexico will not guarantee US entry. And they should ‘get proof of ties to home – evidence of job, home, or return flights helps prove you won’t overstay’.
Jessie added: “It’s not just about the match tickets — it’s about the welcome. “For many football fans this will be their first trip to America. They deserve clarity, not confusion.”
A spokesman for the travel giant said: “With 11 US host cities expecting millions of international visitors the World Cup is set to be America’s biggest tourism event in decades. However the US Travel Association has already warned that visa backlogs and tough screening could cost the country billions in lost tourism spend if fans from Europe and South America are deterred.”
