MUSCAT: The biggest challenge for football fans in Oman during FIFA World Cup 2026 (June 11-July 19) may not be choosing which match to watch—it will be finding enough hours to sleep.
With matches spread across 13 official kick-off slots for Gulf audiences—from late-afternoon starts to fixtures beginning at sunrise the following day—supporters across the Sultanate are already planning overnight viewing sessions, extended café gatherings and group screenings.
With eight Arab nations—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq and debutants Jordan—set to compete on football’s biggest stage, excitement is building despite Oman missing out on qualification.
As the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico on June 11, hotels, sports lounges and sheesha cafés in Muscat are preparing for a month-long surge in customers eager to soak up the World Cup atmosphere. For fans in Oman, the tournament will stretch across virtually the entire day. With matches scheduled in a range of kick-off slots from as early as 4pm to as late as 8am the following morning, football enthusiasts are expected to juggle work, family commitments and sleep schedules to follow the action live. While evening kick-offs will attract large crowds, some of the most anticipated matches could require supporters to stay up well past midnight — or wake up before dawn.
“Most of the matches will be at difficult hours, but that won’t stop us,” said Ahmed Al Balushi, an Omani fan from Muscat.
“We have already created a WhatsApp group to plan where we will watch the big games. The World Cup is something you experience together.”
The Arab presence has injected additional interest into this edition of the tournament, particularly among expatriate communities living in Oman.
“We will definitely be supporting Egypt, but we are also excited to see how the other Arab teams perform,” said Mohamed Hassan, an Egyptian expatriate.
“Jordan qualifying for the first time is a big story for the region. Even friends from different countries are planning to watch matches together.”
Interest is expected to be especially strong for Saudi Arabia and Qatar, whose campaigns will be closely followed not only by GCC nationals but also by football enthusiasts from across the wider region.
Hospitality operators are hoping to capitalise on the football frenzy.
Popular venues such as Hive at Sheraton Oman Hotel and the sports lounge at Kempinski Hotel Muscat are expected to attract crowds throughout the tournament, while neighbourhood sheesha cafés like The Source in Qurum anticipate brisk business during late-night kick-offs.
A sheesha café owner in Seeb said discussions among customers have increasingly centred on football as the tournament approaches.
“Everyone is talking about the World Cup now. People debate who will win, whether Argentina can defend the title and which Arab team has the best chance of making a deep run. Many customers are already asking if we will stay open late for the matches.”
The excitement extends beyond the football itself. FIFA has planned an unprecedented opening celebration spread across three host nations. The festivities begin in Mexico City before moving to Toronto and Los Angeles, featuring performances by international stars including Shakira, Burna Boy, Katy Perry, Anitta and Blackpink’s LISA.
Yet for supporters in Oman, the spotlight remains firmly on the pitch. Whether gathering at sports lounges, hotels or local cafés, fans are preparing for a month of late nights and early mornings as they cheer on their favourite teams.
Sleep schedules may be disrupted, but with eight Arab nations chasing World Cup glory and Jordan making history on its debut appearance, football fever is set to keep Oman awake long after midnight.
