World Cup Support for Fans 2026-04-16
2026-04-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about British citizens [K impacted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, visa restric [7D [K restrictions for international teams, and social media data requirements fo [2D [K for entry into the United States. This has raised concerns over travel safe [4D [K safety for British fans during the upcoming World Cup.
I am sure that we are all looking forward to the [K world cup this summer, and that we all want the home nations to do well. On [2D [K On a serious note, I am deeply concerned about the number of British citize [6D [K citizens who have already been impacted by United States Immigration and Cu [2D [K Customs Enforcement detentions and the threat of visa restrictions for inte [4D [K international teams. Furthermore, UK nationals may be required to surrender [9D [K surrender five years of personal social media data simply to obtain entry i [1D [K into the United States. Will the Secretary of State tell us urgently what s [1D [K she is doing to ensure that British fans can travel to America safely?
The Government and policing partners are in regular [7D [K regular contact with FIFA and host country counterparts on a range of issue [5D [K issues, including security and public safety planning for the world cup. Si [2D [K Since I saw the hon. Gentleman's question appear on the Order Paper, I have [4D [K have asked officials to ensure that those arrangements are robust.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US c [1D [K counterparts or demanding compensation for fans denied entry.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about British citizens [K impacted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, visa restric [7D [K restrictions for international teams, and social media data requirements fo [2D [K for entry into the United States. This has raised concerns over travel safe [4D [K safety for British fans during the upcoming World Cup.
On a serious note, I am deeply concerned about th [2D [K the number of British citizens who have already been impacted by United Sta [3D [K States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions and the threat of vis [3D [K visa restrictions for international teams. Furthermore, UK nationals may be [2D [K be required to surrender five years of personal social media data simply to [2D [K to obtain entry into the United States. Will the Secretary of State tell us [2D [K us urgently what she is doing to ensure that British fans can travel to Ame [3D [K America safely?
The hon. Gentleman raises some particular concerns. [9D [K concerns. I am more than happy to look into them for him and ensure that ev [2D [K everybody has the opportunity to go and participate in what should be a rea [3D [K really positive and global sporting event.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US c [1D [K counterparts or demanding compensation for fans denied entry.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns in the MP's constituency [12D [K constituency about a potential points deduction for West Bromwich Albion du [2D [K due to financial rule breaches. The club has strongly rejected these allega [6D [K allegations, and the team is currently just above the relegation zone.
Football fans in my area are looking forward to t [1D [K the world cup and many hope to travel, but before we get to that competitio [10D [K competition, many are very concerned by reports of a potential points deduc [5D [K deduction for West Bromwich Albion due to allegations of financial rule bre [3D [K breaches. Given Albion's recent run of seven unbeaten games, keeping us jus [3D [K just above the relegation zone, a points deduction sending us down would be [2D [K be heartbreaking for fans. Does the Secretary of State agree that such a si [2D [K situation is awful for fans and can she urge that it is resolved as quickly [7D [K quickly as possible?
My hon. Friend will know that having been through s [1D [K some very difficult times with my own superb football club, Wigan Athletic, [9D [K Athletic, I know how much this matters to people in West Brom. This is prec [4D [K precisely why we delivered the Football Governance Act 2025, which clearly [K sets out the need to protect the integrity and sporting competitiveness of [K existing competitions.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not explicitly commit to urging [6D [K urging the regulator for a quick resolution.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about US border directi [7D [K directives that could weaponize social media history against British fans t [1D [K trying to enter America for the World Cup. This raises concerns over travel [6D [K travel safety and the ability of British fans to enjoy the competition.
Thousands of people across the country—although p [1D [K possibly not the Arts Minister—are very excited for the world cup this summ [4D [K summer, but that excitement is being ruined by the prospect of fans, not fo [2D [K football, coming home. Under new US border directives, fans face having the [3D [K their social media history weaponised against them, with the threat of bein [4D [K being turned away at the gates for as little as sharing an unflattering mem [3D [K meme of President Trump. Will the Secretary of State urgently meet with US [K counterparts to ensure British fans are not denied entry at the border?
In the notes that I was given, it says that securit [7D [K security and safety arrangements for major international sporting events ar [2D [K are a matter for the host authorities. That is true, but the Government can [3D [K can play a role. I reassure the hon. Lady and the hon. Member for Leicester [9D [K Leicester South (Shockat Adam) that I will personally ensure that we as a G [1D [K Government are involved to ensure that fans are not deterred from being abl [3D [K able to participate in what should be a really positive experience.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary did not commit to meeting with US c [1D [K counterparts or demanding specific action against weaponizing social media [K history.
Under Review
Response accuracy