- The United States has warned foreign influencers attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup that creating content for profit while on tourist visas could be considered unauthorized employment.
- Authorities say violators risk deportation if they generate income from content produced during their stay without the appropriate work authorization.
The United States government has issued a warning to foreign social media influencers planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that creating content for profit while on a tourist visa could lead to deportation.
The tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on June 11 and is expected to attract millions of visitors, including content creators, vloggers, and influencers from around the world.
According to reports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has clarified that visitors entering the country under tourist visa arrangements are not permitted to engage in activities considered employment without the appropriate authorization.
The warning specifically targets influencers who travel to the United States primarily to create content that generates income through platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and similar services.
Speaking on the issue, U.S. authorities stated that earning money from content creation while visiting on a tourist visa could be classified as unauthorized work.
“Coming to the United States with the sole purpose of creating content (as an influencer), thereby generating earnings from the United States while in the country, is considered work and requires the appropriate visa.
“People who enter the United States under a visitor program and receive income from a U.S. source would be violating the conditions of their admission status.”
The development comes as preparations intensify for the expanded FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 nations and 104 matches across 16 cities in North America.
The announcement has sparked discussions among influencers and digital creators, many of whom are expected to travel to cover matches, fan experiences, and tournament-related events.
While the U.S. government maintains that the measure is aimed at enforcing immigration and employment regulations, questions remain about how the policy will be implemented and whether it could affect content creators attending the tournament.
