Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

World Cup: Support for Fans

Thursday 16 April 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is in regular contact with FIFA and host country counterparts on security and public safety for the World Cup.
  • The Minister agrees to look into concerns about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions affecting British citizens.
  • The Arts Minister reassures that the UK Government will play a supportive role regarding fan safety and visa issues for the World Cup.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Immigration Policing & Resources Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about British citizens impacted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, visa restrictions for international teams, and social media data requirements for entry into the United States. This has raised concerns over travel safety for British fans during the upcoming World Cup.

Question

I am sure that we are all looking forward to the world cup this summer, and that we all want the home nations to do well. On a serious note, 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. Furthermore, UK nationals may be required to surrender five years of personal social media data simply to obtain entry into the United States. Will the Secretary of State tell us urgently what she is doing to ensure that British fans can travel to America safely?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The Government and policing partners are in regular contact with FIFA and host country counterparts on a range of issues, including security and public safety planning for the world cup. Since I saw the hon. Gentleman's question appear on the Order Paper, I have asked officials to ensure that those arrangements are robust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US counterparts or demanding compensation for fans denied entry.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Immigration Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP is concerned about British citizens impacted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, visa restrictions for international teams, and social media data requirements for entry into the United States. This has raised concerns over travel safety for British fans during the upcoming World Cup.

Question

On a serious note, 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. Furthermore, UK nationals may be required to surrender five years of personal social media data simply to obtain entry into the United States. Will the Secretary of State tell us urgently what she is doing to ensure that British fans can travel to America safely?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The hon. Gentleman raises some particular concerns. I am more than happy to look into them for him and ensure that everybody has the opportunity to go and participate in what should be a really positive and global sporting event.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US counterparts or demanding compensation for fans denied entry.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

There are concerns in the MP's constituency about a potential points deduction for West Bromwich Albion due to financial rule breaches. The club has strongly rejected these allegations, and the team is currently just above the relegation zone.

Question

Football fans in my area are looking forward to the world cup and many hope to travel, but before we get to that competition, many are very concerned by reports of a potential points deduction for West Bromwich Albion due to allegations of financial rule breaches. Given Albion's recent run of seven unbeaten games, keeping us just above the relegation zone, a points deduction sending us down would be heartbreaking for fans. Does the Secretary of State agree that such a situation is awful for fans and can she urge that it is resolved as quickly as possible?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

My hon. Friend will know that having been through some very difficult times with my own superb football club, Wigan Athletic, I know how much this matters to people in West Brom. This is precisely why we delivered the Football Governance Act 2025, which clearly sets out the need to protect the integrity and sporting competitiveness of existing competitions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not explicitly commit to urging the regulator for a quick resolution.

How: Under Review

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Q4 Anna Sabine Lib Dem Frome and East Somerset
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about US border directives that could weaponize social media history against British fans trying to enter America for the World Cup. This raises concerns over travel safety and the ability of British fans to enjoy the competition.

Question

Thousands of people across the country—although possibly not the Arts Minister—are very excited for the world cup this summer, but that excitement is being ruined by the prospect of fans, not football, coming home. 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. Will the Secretary of State urgently meet with US counterparts to ensure British fans are not denied entry at the border?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

In the notes that I was given, it says that security and safety arrangements for major international sporting events are a matter for the host authorities. That is true, but the Government can play a role. I reassure the hon. Lady and the hon. Member for Leicester South (Shockat Adam) that I will personally ensure that we as a Government are involved to ensure that fans are not deterred from being able to participate in what should be a really positive experience.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US counterparts or demanding specific action against weaponizing social media history.

How: Under Review

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