As the 2026 World Cup unfolds across North America, it is already underscoring how much entry formalities can shape the experience of international supporters. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is preparing for its own 2034 World Cup with visas firmly on the agenda.
In an interview with Reuters, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal said the kingdom would work with FIFA to make the tournament more accessible to fans. FIFA will continue to control match tickets and ticket pricing, but Saudi Arabia intends to focus on other parts of the travel experience, starting with entry procedures.
For the minister, World Cup accessibility is not only about the cost of seats in stadiums. It is also about whether fans can reach the host country without excessive administrative barriers. He told Reuters that “nobody wants to see a tournament such as the World Cup where people are struggling to come.”
Visas as a key lever for fan access
According to the Saudi sports minister, citizens of more than 60 countries can already obtain an e-Visa or a visa on arrival to enter Saudi Arabia. He also suggested that more nationalities could be added before the 2034 World Cup.
“We have more than 60 countries whose citizens can get e-Visas on arrival and hopefully more to come,” said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki AlFaisal, noting that the kingdom’s opening up to tourism began with a sporting event: the Formula E race held in 2018. “Before that we didn’t have any tourist visa,” he added.
That matters for travelers. The broader the list of nationalities eligible for an e-Visa, the fewer fans will need to go through a traditional consular visa process before departure. For an event on the scale of the World Cup, that difference could prove decisive.
Saudi Arabia’s current system relies in part on its tourist e-Visa. According to the official Visit Saudi portal, the electronic authorization allows eligible travelers to visit the kingdom for tourism, events, family visits and Umrah, outside the Hajj season. The e-Visa is valid for one year, allows multiple entries and permits stays of up to 90 days.
For fans planning to travel in 2034, the key question will be whether Saudi Arabia simply expands the existing system or creates a World Cup-specific entry channel, such as a dedicated process for ticket holders or an event-based authorization.
A promise already built into Saudi Arabia’s bid
The minister’s comments are consistent with Saudi Arabia’s official 2034 bid.
After FIFA awarded the tournament to the kingdom, Saudi Arabia’s bid promised a World Cup that would be easy to reach and easy to navigate, with simplified travel between host cities, accommodation options across different price ranges and what the bid described as a smooth immigration process for visitors.
That promise will be closely watched. The 2034 World Cup will be the first 48-team edition staged by a single country. All international supporters will therefore enter the same national territory under rules set by Saudi authorities.
That differs from the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, where entry requirements depend on three separate immigration systems. In 2034, Saudi Arabia will have the advantage of a single national framework, but also full responsibility for making it work smoothly.
No special 2034 fan visa has been announced yet
For now, Saudi Arabia has not announced any special entry procedure for 2034 World Cup ticket holders.
The idea, however, would not be entirely new for the kingdom. In 2023, Saudi Arabia introduced a special e-Visa for fans attending the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah. That electronic authorization allowed ticket holders to enter the country for the tournament, showing that Saudi Arabia has already linked a major FIFA event to a dedicated entry procedure.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, has also shown that visas can become a sensitive issue in the organization of major sporting events. On the eve of the tournament, FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged visa-related difficulties while stressing that world soccer’s governing body could not replace national governments in immigration matters.
For Saudi Arabia, that precedent is a reminder. In 2034, the kingdom alone will be responsible for its entry framework. That could make coordination easier, but it will also raise expectations among international fans for a system that is clear, fast and predictable, especially for nationalities that still require a consular visa.
Saudi Arabia points to its record hosting major events
The Saudi sports minister also highlighted the kingdom’s experience hosting major international events.
According to Prince Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia has already hosted more than 150 international events, and “all fans that have come have enjoyed them, have found ease of access”. He said that fan accessibility is “one of the things that we really focus on” as it prepares for 2034.
The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be an important test before the World Cup. Saudi Arabia will host the continental tournament seven years before the 2034 World Cup, with several venues expected to be used again for the larger event. For Saudi authorities, it will be an opportunity to test stadiums, visitor flows, transport, security arrangements and potentially some entry procedures.
Security: Saudi Arabia seeks to reassure fans amid regional tensions
The minister’s comments also come against a backdrop of regional instability.
Asked about security, Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia had continued to stage events in a “safe environment” despite tensions in the region. He said the kingdom was working with its security agencies to ensure the safety of fans arriving in Saudi Arabia, while expressing hope that the broader regional situation would continue to improve.
Riyadh’s message is clear: Saudi Arabia wants the 2034 World Cup to be seen not only as accessible, but also as secure. That will be essential for travelers, teams, delegations, media organizations and commercial partners.
Security and visas are also closely connected. The more a country facilitates entry, the more it must be able to maintain checks that are effective, fast and compatible with large visitor flows. For Saudi Arabia, the challenge will be to balance openness, smooth processing and border control.
Unique logistical challenges for a single host country
The 2034 World Cup will also bring major organizational challenges.
With 48 teams in one country, Saudi Arabia will have to manage large flows of fans, delegations and media across several host cities. The sports minister said the preparations involve logistics, facilities, connectivity and building the long-term foundations for football in the kingdom.
FIFA officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup at an extraordinary congress on Dec. 11, 2024.
Saudi Arabia’s bid features 15 stadiums across five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM. Some venues already exist or are being upgraded, while others still need to be built. The Aramco Stadium is reportedly “almost 80%” complete and is expected to host matches at the Asian Cup in January. The King Fahd Stadium, built in the 1980s, is also being upgraded to meet FIFA standards.
