U.S. Warns Influencers Against Using Tourist Visas For World Cup Content

The United States has warned foreign content creators and influencers planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup that producing monetised content while in the country on a tourist visa could violate U.S. immigration laws.

The warning comes days before the start of the tournament, which is expected to attract thousands of digital creators, influencers and online personalities from around the world seeking to cover matches and fan experiences across the United States.

According to reports by Spanish newspaper El País, U.S. immigration authorities have clarified that foreign nationals entering the country on a visitor visa cannot use their stay primarily to create content that generates income.

A joint statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security said content creation for commercial purposes may be considered employment and therefore requires the appropriate visa category.

“Having as the sole purpose of the visit the creation of content (as an influencer), thus generating profits while in the country, is considered work and requires the corresponding visa,” the agencies said, according to El País.

U.S. authorities said visitor visas are intended for tourism, family visits, medical treatment and other temporary activities, but do not permit employment or income-generating work carried out within the United States.

Violations could result in visa cancellation, deportation or restrictions on future travel to the country.

The policy could affect a growing number of sports influencers, YouTubers, TikTok creators and digital personalities who increasingly travel to major sporting events to produce content for large online audiences.

The report said content creators who intend to carry out professional or commercial activities may need alternative visa categories that permit employment, including visas available to individuals with recognised achievements in fields such as entertainment, sports, business or the arts.

The warning comes as the United States tightens immigration scrutiny ahead of the World Cup. Human rights groups and immigration advocates have raised concerns about increased visa restrictions, travel bans and border checks that could affect some visitors attending the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is expected to attract millions of visitors and is projected to be one of the largest sporting events in history.

FIFA has increasingly embraced digital creators as part of its efforts to engage younger audiences, making the visa guidance particularly significant for influencers planning to cover the tournament.

For content creators intending to travel to the United States for the World Cup, immigration experts say the key consideration will be ensuring that their planned activities match the visa category under which they enter the country.