(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

As anticipation mounts for the Fifa World Cup 2026, football fans in the UAE eager to watch the tournament in North America must act immediately if they hope to be at the heart of the action. Experts urgently warn that securing a US tourist visa in time requires early planning, given surging global demand and limited appointment slots.

Visa applications from the UAE have spiked dramatically this year, highlighting an urgent rush to secure spots for the 2026 World Cup. Anastasia Yanchenko, CEO of The Visa Services, urges residents to act now and apply as early as 2025. "Waiting until early 2026 is extremely risky," she warned, "processing delays and rapidly vanishing appointments could derail travel plans."

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Football coach Blessing Rodney Mutsveta is among those eager to travel to the US for the World Cup.“Matches featuring African countries, specifically South Africa in the group stages, would be exciting to watch,” said the UAE resident.

The 37-year-old plans to start his visa application process in January, despite knowing the potential delays.“January might already be late because of the time it takes to get an embassy interview, wait times can stretch up to a year,” he noted. Nonetheless, the Zimbabwean remains determined, hoping to secure a slot as the US plans to open millions of visa interview appointments worldwide.

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi told Khaleej Times that millions of visa interview appointments are being made available worldwide ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Interview slots are being prioritised for Fifa ticket holders, guaranteeing that they will be able to complete their visa formalities without facing the usual backlog.

Apply for US visa in December

Currently, after a US visa interview, approved visas are typically stamped within 5-10 working days in Dubai, while refusals are issued immediately. However, scheduling an appointment can take several weeks to over a year, depending on demand. Working with expert agencies like The Visa Services can significantly reduce waiting times, sometimes to just one week.

Yanchenko explained that visa slots are severely limited between January and April due to overlapping demand from spring holidays, business travel, and student programmes. She strongly recommends applying in December,“This month is considered the best month to start the visa process because demand temporarily drops after the peak autumn season. Do not wait when you have a brief window to increase your chances and secure an appointment before the rush returns,” she added.

Starting early in December gives applicants the best combination of lower competition, better slot availability, and more predictable timelines

Is it too late for US visa to attended World Cup?

According to Mona Tavokoli, CEO of Souq Al Safar Tourism, it's not too late, but securing an appointment will not be easy.“To be honest, no normal appointment is available,” she said, noting that some agencies are charging extra to hunt for open slots.

However, she stresses that applicants can still manage the process themselves if they have the time and patience.“It's not impossible. If the passenger has free time to check availability regularly, they can do it without any help,” she added.

Tavokoli highlights that honesty is the most crucial element when applying for a US visa.“The US has a very strong security system, so they always cross-check interview answers with the truth,” she explained. Applicants should be fully transparent, avoid skipping any questions, and answer carefully, especially since most questions are personal.“All questions are important and help the officer make a positive decision,” she said.

Required documents for US visa application

Required documents for UAE applicants include a valid passport, a DS-160 confirmation, a US visa appointment confirmation, a US-format photo, a UAE residence visa, and, optionally, proof of financial stability, ties to the UAE, and a travel itinerary.

Rising demand is driven by post-pandemic backlogs, the World Cup, growing business mobility, and increased tourism to the US, with travellers applying earlier than ever before.

Fans share their plans and advice

Alexandr Poliakov, a 28-year-old Russian resident in the UAE, shared his excitement:“I have been following football all my life. Attending the World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not just to see top players live, but to experience the energy and culture of the US as a host country."

Poliakov plans to visit multiple host cities, including East Coast locations like New York, New Jersey, and Boston, as well as West Coast stadiums in Texas or California.“I will stay around two to three weeks to attend matches, travel between cities, and explore iconic landmarks,” he said.

Poliakov has already started his visa application, emphasising the importance of professional support to avoid delays. However, being a UAE resident has its advantages: "There's no denying that being a Russian national adds a layer of complexity. But since I am resident in the UAE, I am applying from here, which helps - I have residency, a stable job, and a clear travel plan. That gives me stronger ties and evidence that I intend to return. Still, I am taking nothing for granted and being very careful with documentation."

Saud Faisal, 31, from the UAE, applied for his visa last year for the Fifa Club World Cup, but was unable to travel due to personal circumstances. Now he plans to go to the 2026 World Cup finals.

He advises prospective travellers to apply immediately:“Due to the high volume of applications, people should hurry to apply for the visa.”

Saud plans to watch the knockout-stage matches:“I am considering going to the World Cup to watch the knockout-stage matches. As for the tickets, I have not been able to purchase them yet on the official Fifa website, but I will try to secure them during the upcoming sales phase so I can proceed with preparations for the upcoming trip.”

Steps for planning a World Cup trip from the UAE

Experts recommend a structured approach:

• Apply for the US visa early

• Choose host cities and match schedules

• Register for Fifa ticket sales

• Book flights and hotels in advance

• Plan internal travel across US host cities

• Prepare a budget and logistics

• Finalise travel insurance and all required documents

With visa demand already at record levels, UAE fans hoping to witness the Fifa World Cup 2026 live are advised to start their applications now to avoid missing out on the historic sporting event

Fifa pass

A meeting between Fifa President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump has resulted in Fifa World Cup ticket-holders receiving prioritised visa interviews.

The football body outlined a new Fifa Priority Appointment Scheduling System (Fifa Pass), aimed at making the process for acquiring visas for the tournament as smooth as possible, and hopefully boosting international attendance for the 2026 World Cup in the process.

The World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted next June by Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 cities, welcoming 48 teams to compete (expanded from 32).

Demand for tickets has seemingly not been dampened by immigration concerns, with over a million tickets sold during Fifa's first rollout in October.

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