Foreign content creators planning to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been warned that producing monetised content while in the country on a tourist visa could result in deportation, Trybal News report.
The warning, issued by U.S. immigration authorities ahead of the global football showpiece, is expected to affect a growing number of independent creators, vloggers and social media personalities who increasingly travel to major sporting events to provide behind-the-scenes coverage and fan-focused content.
American officials have reiterated that tourist visas are intended for leisure and personal travel and do not permit visitors to undertake activities considered employment. Authorities maintain that generating income from content created while physically present in the United States may fall under that category, regardless of whether the content is published on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.
The clarification arrives as the United States prepares to welcome millions of visitors for the World Cup, which it will co-host alongside Mexico and Canada. The tournament is expected to attract an unprecedented number of digital creators, many of whom operate independently rather than through traditional media organisations.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security have warned that visitors who breach the conditions of their entry could face visa cancellation, removal from the country and difficulties obtaining future entry permits.
The restrictions are not limited to social media personalities. Immigration authorities also stressed that journalists and media professionals entering the country on tourist visas are prohibited from carrying out professional assignments without the appropriate documentation.
Despite the warning, legal experts believe some cases may not be straightforward. Immigration attorney Alex Galvez suggested that questions could arise over where a creator’s business is registered and where revenue is ultimately paid, potentially opening the door for legal challenges in certain situations.
The issue has added another layer to the wider immigration debate surrounding the World Cup. Media organisations have already raised concerns over visa-related complications affecting some journalists, while reports of denied entries and heightened immigration checks have drawn attention in the build-up to the tournament.
With the World Cup set to become one of the most digitally covered sporting events in history, creators intending to travel to the United States have been advised to ensure their visa status aligns with the activities they plan to undertake during the competition.
