The United States government has issued a fresh warning to foreign content creators and social media influencers planning to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that earning income while in the country on a tourist visa could lead to deportation and future travel restrictions.
In a statement released by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), authorities stressed that foreign nationals entering the country under a tourist visa programme are not permitted to engage in activities that generate income from US sources.
According to the agencies, content creation carried out for commercial purposes while physically present in the United States constitutes work and therefore requires the appropriate visa.
“Having the sole purpose of the visit be content creation as an influencer, thereby generating income from U.S. sources while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa,” the agencies said.
The warning comes just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
US authorities clarified that the B-2 tourist visa is intended for leisure travel, holidays, family visits and medical treatment, and does not permit holders to receive income or undertake paid professional activities while in the country.
Officials warned that violators risk having their visas revoked, being removed from the United States and facing difficulties obtaining future entry permits.
The directive is expected to affect thousands of independent creators who planned to cover the World Cup through platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
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Authorities also noted that working for a media organisation while in the country on a tourist visa would similarly amount to a violation of immigration regulations.
Immigration lawyer Alex Galvez, however, suggested there could be legal arguments in certain cases, particularly where creators’ social media accounts are registered in their home countries and payments are processed outside the United States.
The warning adds to growing concerns over immigration policies surrounding the World Cup.
The International Sports Press Association recently expressed concerns over visa restrictions affecting some journalists seeking to cover the tournament, while Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry into the United States ahead of the competition.
The current enforcement approach mirrors previous actions taken by immigration authorities. In June 2025, popular Senegalese-Italian TikTok star Khaby Lame was detained at Las Vegas airport and later self-deported after allegedly overstaying his visa.
With millions of visitors expected during the World Cup, US authorities have indicated that immigration compliance will remain a key part of security operations throughout the tournament.