With the FIFA World Cup kicking off tomorrow, football fans across the UAE are finalising long-planned trips. Flights have been booked, match tickets secured, and detailed itineraries arranged as supporters prepare to travel across Mexico, Canada, and the United States to watch the tournament live from the stands.
For some fans, the journey is about reliving memories from Qatar 2022, while others see it as an opportunity to support their national teams alongside family members. What they all share is months of preparation leading up to football’s biggest global event.
Dubai resident Mohamed Elhag Ali Mohamed is among those travelling, planning a 10-day trip to Mexico where he hopes to attend two Round of 32 matches scheduled for June 29 in Monterrey and June 30 in Mexico City.
“I chose these matches based on the World Cup schedule. Only 13 games will be played in Mexico, and these two are among the final three there, making them some of the most significant fixtures,” he said.
Mohamed said he began planning relatively late and quickly prioritised visa requirements.
“I discovered that obtaining a Mexican visa can take time, so I opted to enter Mexico using a Schengen visa, which is accepted for entry,” he added.
Careful planning pays off
His flights from Dubai cost about Dh8,600, including a stopover in Barcelona before continuing to Mexico. Accommodation remains relatively affordable at around Dh300 per night, but match tickets have proven significantly more expensive.
“The first match ticket cost me Dh2,600. I haven’t bought the second ticket yet as I’m waiting to find a better price,” he said, adding that costs could increase further if the Mexican national team qualifies for the match he hopes to attend.
To meet Mexico’s entry requirements, Mohamed also plans to spend three days in Spain before continuing his journey.
Despite the logistical challenges, he says the trip is worth it.
“After attending the World Cup in Qatar, I would love to relive that feeling. For me, Mexico offers the best balance compared to Canada and the United States in terms of entry requirements and overall costs.”
Choosing Canada over the US
Dubai-based doctor Niyas Khalid said he is preparing to attend matches in Vancouver and Toronto on June 29 and July 2.
“I had decided to go for the World Cup a long time ago,” he said. “Initially, I planned to travel to the US, but due to the geopolitical situation, I chose Canada instead.”
Although he holds both Canadian and US visas, securing match tickets has been more challenging than obtaining travel documents.
“The real challenge is getting match tickets more than anything else,” he said.
He expects the trip to cost at least Dh12,000, with flights making up the largest share. Accommodation plans are still being finalised.
“Travel has become much more expensive. Connecting flights are complicated and unpredictable. Airline fares are the biggest expense, and match tickets are difficult to secure.”
Chasing the World Cup feeling again
Memories of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar continue to inspire him.
“The Qatar World Cup was unforgettable because of its atmosphere, energy, and the way football united people. Canada offers a completely different experience, and I’m looking forward not only to the matches but also to exploring the country.”
For Abu Dhabi resident Yassin Ibrahim, the tournament has become a family gathering.
The family decided about eight months ago to combine their annual reunion with a World Cup trip, attending the opening ceremony in Los Angeles and two Egypt matches.
“All the children and grandchildren decided to attend the opening ceremony and support Egypt,” he said.
They will travel to Seattle for Egypt’s match against Belgium before heading to Vancouver for the game against New Zealand.
While visa procedures were straightforward, costs have still been high.
“The expenses are very high due to ticket prices, flights, and hotel costs, which are extremely inflated,” he said. “We planned early and carefully, but prices are still very high.”
Despite the expenses, he says nothing compares to the live experience.
“The atmosphere of watching the opening ceremony and matches in the stadium is completely different from television. The mix of nationalities, sportsmanship, traditional clothing, and songs creates a unique experience.”
As the countdown continues, UAE fans are showing that for many, the chance to experience the FIFA World Cup in person is worth the planning, cost, and effort.
