US border authorities have outlined how “device inspection” rules work at American airports, as millions of fans prepare to travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the US set to co-host the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, officials expect up to 10 million international visitors to arrive for matches across 11 American cities this summer.
President Donald Trump has promoted the event as
‘once in a lifetime’
and has also introduced the Visa Waiver Program, which allows eligible travelers to visit for tourism or business for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.
Even with a waiver in place, entry is not guaranteed, and arrivals can still face additional checks at the border.
Under US law, border officers can request access to electronic devices and review material such as emails, text messages, and social media activity during an inspection. Refusing to cooperate can result in delays, or in some cases, being turned away.
A US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson said:
“We have authority to conduct border searches of electronic devices for all persons entering or departing the United States, regardless of citizenship, to enforce laws addressing terrorism, child exploitation, drug and human-smuggling, visa fraud, and national security threats.”
The spokesperson added:
“The border search will only include an examination of information that is present on the device at the time it is presented for inspection.
“In 2025, less than 0.01% of all arriving international travelers had their electronic devices searched.”
Separately, the Trump administration previously explored expanding the approach further, proposing a requirement for some tourists to submit five years of social media history as part of the entry process—though the change has not been implemented.
The proposal, published in the Federal Register as a possible update to the ESTA application process, is still being reviewed.
When asked whether the idea could deter visitors from traveling to the US, Trump said he was unconcerned.
“No. We’re doing so well,” the president said during a press conference in December 2025.
“We want to make sure we’re not letting the wrong people come enter our country.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, with the opening match scheduled for Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City, Mexico.
The venue will make history as the first stadium to stage three World Cup opening games.
The tournament runs through July 19 and will be the biggest World Cup yet, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host cities.