Football fans across Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already counting down to the FIFA World Cup 2026, and for many, the travel planning has now officially begun. The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has announced that eligible ticket holders can now apply for US visitor visas through the FIFA PASS programme, giving supporters an early chance to sort out one of the biggest parts of their trip before the tournament rush begins.
With matches set to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the next FIFA World Cup is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world. In Dubai alone, conversations around football travel are already picking up pace in cafés, sports lounges and travel agencies, especially among fans who travelled to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup and are now planning a much bigger North American experience.
US opens FIFA World Cup 2026 visa applications for Saudi ticket holders
According to the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, eligible FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders can now begin applying for visitor visas through FIFA PASS.
The announcement is aimed at helping fans prepare well ahead of the tournament, especially as demand for visa appointments is expected to rise sharply closer to kickoff. Anyone who has tried booking appointments during busy travel periods knows how quickly slots can disappear, particularly for major global events.
For many Gulf travellers, early preparation has become almost essential when planning trips to the US. Flights, accommodation and visa processing timelines can all become more expensive and stressful the longer people wait.
This latest move gives football supporters a head start.
What is FIFA PASS, and why are fans talking about it?
FIFA PASS is linked to FIFA’s travel and ticketing process and is designed to help eligible supporters begin travel-related procedures connected to the tournament.
While it may simplify parts of the process, travellers will still need to complete the standard US visitor visa requirements. That includes filling out applications, submitting documents and attending interviews where required.
Fans planning to travel should still prepare:
- A valid passport
- FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket details or eligibility confirmation
- Completed visa application forms
- Financial and travel-related supporting documents
- Visa interview appointment confirmations
The embassy has also reminded applicants that visa approvals are handled under regular immigration rules and are not automatically guaranteed through FIFA PASS.
GCC football fans are already planning World Cup trips
Across Dubai and the wider GCC, excitement around the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been steadily building for months. Football tourism in the region has grown massively in recent years, especially after Qatar successfully hosted the 2022 tournament.
Many UAE residents who travelled to Doha still remember the electric atmosphere that took over the region during match season. From packed fan zones in Dubai to late-night screenings at cafés and beach venues, football became part of everyday conversation.
Now, with the tournament moving to North America, fans are preparing for a completely different type of experience.
Travel agencies in Dubai are expected to introduce special World Cup packages covering flights, hotels and match tickets once demand increases further. Some football fans are already budgeting for multi-city trips across the US to watch several matches during the tournament.
For younger travellers especially, the FIFA World Cup has become more than just football. It is turning into a full travel experience built around sports, culture, entertainment and group trips with friends.
Why early visa planning matters this time
Anyone planning a trip to the US during a global event knows timing matters.
Visa appointments can become difficult to secure during peak travel periods, and prices for flights and hotels often climb quickly once tournament schedules are confirmed.
For UAE and Saudi residents, summer travel demand is already high every year. Add the FIFA World Cup into the mix, and competition for bookings is expected to become even stronger.
That is why many football fans are already looking into visa procedures now rather than waiting until the final months before the tournament.
Frequent travellers in Dubai often plan big international trips almost a year ahead, especially for events tied to sports or entertainment. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to follow the same trend.
Some residents are even discussing combining the tournament with longer North American holidays covering cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto.
Football’s popularity continues growing across the Middle East
Football culture across Saudi Arabia and the UAE has changed dramatically over the past few years. International stars joining regional leagues, packed stadiums and major sporting investments have pushed football deeper into everyday life across the Gulf.
Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 has also added even more excitement around global tournaments in the region.
For many fans, FIFA World Cup 2026 feels like the next major chapter before the Middle East eventually hosts another World Cup of its own.
In Dubai, sports bars and football cafés are already expected to become busy gathering spots once ticket sales and tournament schedules intensify over the coming months.
The conversation has clearly moved beyond just watching matches at home. Many supporters now want to experience these events in person.
The opening of FIFA World Cup 2026 US visitor visa applications for eligible Saudi ticket holders marks an important early step for football fans across the Gulf. With huge travel demand expected for the tournament, starting the visa process early could make the experience far smoother for supporters planning the trip of a lifetime.
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