MUSCAT: For thousands of football supporters, attending the 2026 Fifa World Cup is a lifelong dream. For a growing number of Omani fans, the 2026 edition has become far more than simply watching matches from the stands, as it has been an unforgettable journey combining elite football, technological innovation, cultural exchange and exceptional hospitality.
Despite the long journey from Muscat to the tournament's host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico, several Omani supporters made the trip to experience football's biggest spectacle firsthand. Speaking to the Oman Observer, they described a tournament that has set new standards in fan engagement, stadium operations and the overall matchday experience.
Among them was Mazin al Buraiki from Al Musannah, who attended five matches in the United States, including Morocco versus Brazil, France against Senegal, Sweden versus France in the Round of 32, Saudi Arabia against Spain, and Morocco's clash with Haiti.
"The World Cup exceeded all my expectations," Al Buraiki said. "I watched matches at two magnificent venues, including New Jersey Stadium, which will host the final, and Atlanta Stadium. Every match offered a unique atmosphere, but what impressed me most was how smoothly everything was organised from arrival until departure."
He explained that crowd management inside and around the stadiums was remarkably efficient. “The supporters are allowed to arrive only minutes before kick-off without worrying about long queues. Even during peak periods, entering and leaving the stadium rarely took more than ten minutes. The smart architectural design, multiple access points, escalators, elevators and wide walkways ensured continuous movement and eliminated congestion," he noted.
According to Al Buraiki, the World Cup experience extended well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. “Fan zones surrounding the stadiums featured food markets representing cuisines from around the world, live entertainment, interactive games, football challenges, music performances and giant digital screens that kept supporters entertained for hours before kick-off. It felt like attending an international festival rather than simply watching a football match," he said. "Fans could participate in competitions, appear on giant screens and enjoy entertainment regardless of which team they supported."
Transportation also stood out as one of the tournament's strongest features. Al Buraiki praised the seamless integration between airports, city centres, stadiums and fan zones through extensive rail networks, intercity buses and affordable domestic flights.
"The organisers made travelling between host cities incredibly convenient," he explained. "Whether by train, bus, or budget airline, every option was designed to accommodate the massive number of supporters moving across the country."
He also highlighted Fifa’s comprehensive digital support, pointing to mobile applications providing real-time navigation, transport updates and interactive maps, while volunteers stationed at airports, railway stations and tourist attractions assisted visitors throughout their journeys.
Perhaps the biggest technological leap came inside the stadiums themselves. "The visual experience was extraordinary," Al Buraiki said. "Massive LED displays and infinity screens surrounded the stadium, providing live statistics, instant 4K replays and immersive graphics."
He was particularly impressed by the tournament's augmented reality features. "Using the Fifa application, supporters could point their phones towards the pitch and instantly see players' names, movement patterns, passing routes and live statistics through augmented reality. It made the match feel like an interactive experience."
Al Buraiki also praised the outstanding media facilities, noting that journalists benefited from dedicated entrances, complimentary hospitality services, high-speed internet and live monitoring of simultaneous matches, while sponsors enhanced the tournament atmosphere through innovative interactive exhibitions.
Different experience
Another passionate Omani supporter, Hilal al Kharousi from Al Suwaiq, experienced the tournament across several destinations, including New York, Atlanta, Miami and Mexico. "My World Cup journey was much more than attending football matches," Al Kharousi said. "It became a sporting, cultural and human experience that allowed me to witness how football unites people from every continent."
He began his journey in New York by watching Morocco face Brazil inside the stadium that will stage the World Cup final. "From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was breathtaking," he recalled. "The flags, songs, colours and passionate Moroccan and Brazilian supporters created a truly unforgettable occasion."
His next stop was Atlanta, where he watched Saudi Arabia take on Spain. "The Saudi supporters created an incredible Arab presence inside the stadium," he said. "Their passion and energy made us all proud to see an Arab team competing on football's biggest stage."
Beyond the stadiums, Al Kharousi said Miami showcased another dimension of the World Cup through lively fan zones combining sport, tourism, music and entertainment. "The city transformed into an international celebration where football blended naturally with local culture," he explained.
His visit to Mexico offered yet another distinctive experience. "There, football was visible everywhere, not only inside the stadiums but throughout the streets. Music, celebrations and spontaneous gatherings reflected the country's deep passion for the sport."
For Al Kharousi, the tournament's greatest achievement lies in its ability to bring people together regardless of nationality or language. "In every city I visited, I met supporters from different countries. We exchanged conversations, photographs and memories despite speaking different languages. Football truly becomes a universal language during the World Cup."
The supporters agreed that the Fifa World Cup represents far more than an international sporting event. It is a global celebration where football, technology, culture, tourism and hospitality merge to create lifelong memories.
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