UK Green Party spokesperson has called on the US to cover travel costs for British football fans denied entry over their social media activity ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking in the UK parliament, Green MP Anna Sabine raised concerns over US border measures that could require travellers to disclose up to five years of social media history as a condition of entry.
“Thousands of people across the country are very excited for the World Cup this summer, but that excitement is being ruined by the prospect of fans, not football, coming home,” she said during a debate in parliament yesterday.
She warned that, under the new rules, social media content could be used against travellers, raising the possibility that individuals might be refused entry for minor or political online activity.
“Under new US border directives, fans face having their social media history weaponised against them, with the threat of being turned away at the gates for as little as sharing an unflattering meme of President Trump, ” she insisted.
Sabine urged the UK Government to intervene diplomatically, asking whether ministers would press US authorities to guarantee entry for British fans and whether Washington should compensate those unfairly turned away.
Independent MP Shockat Adam also pressed the Labour Government over the issue, citing concerns about previous detentions involving British citizens by US immigration authorities.
“I am deeply concerned about the number of British citizens who have already been impacted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions and the threat of visa restrictions for international teams, amid lots of illegal wars, started by the FIFA peace prize winner, ironically,” he said.
He questionned what steps were being taken to ensure British fans could travel safely and return without incident.
“Will the Secretary of State tell us urgently what she is doing to ensure that British fans can travel to America safely, enjoy the games safely and get back home safely?,” he asked.
Despite the concerns, the Labour Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy highlighted that “security and safety arrangements for major international sporting events are a matter for the host authorities”. She added that the government would “ensure that fans are not deterred from being able to participate in what should be a really positive experience”.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take place in the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Earlier reports also indicated that European Union officials had already pressured FIFA to ensure that European supporters would be safe when travelling to the US for the tournament.
