logo
Visa cardholders get first shot at applying for FIFA World Cup 26 tickets

Visa cardholders get first shot at applying for FIFA World Cup 26 tickets

Zawya8 hours ago
Cairo, Egypt – It's official: the road to the FIFA World Cup 26™ starts with Visa. As the Official Payment Technology Partner of FIFA and a global leader in digital payments, Visa cardholders with a Visa Debit, Credit or reloadable Visa prepaid cards globally will receive exclusive early access to apply for tickets to the most anticipated sporting event in the world. The first-ever Visa Presale Draw was announced at the Visa Payments Vault in Washington, D.C., where government officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States gathered to celebrate trilateral collaboration and the unifying power of sport at the Visa FIFA World Cup 26™ Reception.
'The FIFA World Cup 26™ is a moment of pride and possibility for our region. From Pakistan, where the official match ball is being crafted with world-class precision, to Jordan, celebrating its historic first qualification, the North Africa, Levant & Pakistan region is deeply woven into the fabric of this tournament. At Visa, we're not just connecting fans to football — we're empowering communities, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to thrive on the global stage. This is our time to shine,' commented Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for North Africa, Levant and Pakistan at Visa.
Empowering Fans
From September 10-19, fans with a Visa card, including Visa Credit, Visa Debit and reloadable Visa prepaid cards, can apply to enter the Visa Presale Draw – a randomized selection process that gives selected entrants the chance to purchase tickets before general ticket sales open. Interested cardholders will need a FIFA ID to participate in the Visa Presale Draw and are encouraged to visit FIFA.com/tickets today to create their ID, if they don't already have one. Those chosen to purchase tickets through the Visa Presale Draw will be notified by email starting no earlier than September 30 and given a dedicated time slot in October to purchase available tickets on a first come, first served basis. As the official payment method for FIFA ticketing, Visa will be the exclusive payment method accepted during the presale purchase window. Learn more about the Visa Presale Draw here.
'Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 26 is building fast, and 10 September is a date every football fan should have marked in their calendar,' said FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai. 'We're delighted to once again partner with Visa to give fans the very first opportunity to apply for a place at the greatest show on earth. A ticket to the FIFA World Cup™ isn't just a ticket—it's a gateway to the most inclusive and spectacular tournament in our history. Everyone will want to be part of this moment, so make sure you've created your FIFA ID and have your Visa card ready.'
Uplifting Communities and Small Businesses
As Visa cardholders from around the world apply to secure exclusive ticket access for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, Visa also wants to help businesses get ready to make the most of the moment. By sharing trends and expertise, Visa will help empower local businesses, especially in host cities – from street vendors in Mexico City to boutiques in Kansas City, or a local bakery in Vancouver– so they can capitalize on World Cup tourism and turn tournament fanfare into lasting economic growth. More details on these programs will be shared as the match draw approaches.
A Tournament Like No Other
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ promises to be record-breaking: 48 teams, 104 matches over 39 days in 16 iconic host cities and will be the first ever tri-country hosted games across North America. With nearly 20 years of partnership with FIFA, Visa and FIFA continue to innovate and expand access for fans, business owners and communities alike.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
Media Contact
Allee McDermott
amcdermo@visa.com
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuwait Grants Visa-on-Arrival Access to All GCC Foreign Residents
Kuwait Grants Visa-on-Arrival Access to All GCC Foreign Residents

UAE Moments

time2 hours ago

  • UAE Moments

Kuwait Grants Visa-on-Arrival Access to All GCC Foreign Residents

In a major policy shift aimed at boosting tourism and regional mobility, Kuwait has announced that all foreigners residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are now eligible for a tourist visa on arrival at all entry points. The decision, issued Sunday by Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah and published in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, takes immediate effect. The new visa will be valid for 90 days and is open to residents of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, provided their GCC residency permit is valid for at least six months. This move replaces 2008 regulations that limited visa-on-arrival eligibility to specific professional categories such as doctors, engineers, judges, and executives. With the change, more than 25 million foreign residents in the GCC can now visit Kuwait with ease. Kuwait has long allowed nationals from many European, North American, select Latin American, and major Asian countries—including China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore—to obtain visas on arrival. The announcement is part of a wider effort over the past 15 months to ease visa restrictions for foreigners. The country has relaxed family visit rules, enabling expatriates to bring close relatives such as spouses, children, and parents for up to one month. It has also simplified procedures for hotels to sponsor visitors and for companies to secure business visas for foreign partners. The reform is expected to significantly boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange within the Gulf, positioning Kuwait as a more open and accessible destination in the region.

African Development Bank and Invest in Africa Sign $850,000 Grant Agreement to Boost Inclusive Green Jobs in Ghana and Senegal
African Development Bank and Invest in Africa Sign $850,000 Grant Agreement to Boost Inclusive Green Jobs in Ghana and Senegal

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

African Development Bank and Invest in Africa Sign $850,000 Grant Agreement to Boost Inclusive Green Jobs in Ghana and Senegal

The African Development Bank ( has signed a $850,000 grant agreement with Invest in Africa (IIA), a non-profit organization, to support the MicroGREEN project to provide livelihood opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable groups in Ghana and Senegal. Titled, Strengthening Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities' Micro-Entrepreneurship for Green Jobs in Natural Resources, this initiative aims to generate up to 500 green jobs, focusing on the agroforestry, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation sectors. It is funded through the Bank's Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), alongside an initial $1 million grant commitment by the Bank's Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund to support the project over two years. These targeted sectors hold high potential for climate-resilient employment and require a skilled workforce capable of managing ecosystems and deploying green technologies. Despite their potential, women and youth in Africa remain largely underrepresented in Africa's sustainable growth sectors. Increasing their participation, especially in employment-intensive green industries, could accelerate inclusive and resilient economic development across the continent. The FAPA grant will fund the Capacity Development and Value Chain Enhancement component of the MicroGREEN project. Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in fragile or transitional economies like Ghana and Senegal face limited access to entrepreneurship training and business development services. These constraints are particularly acute for women- and youth-led enterprises and are compounded by high service costs and systemic socio-economic and gender-based barriers. To help address these challenges, the MicroGREEN project will deliver high-quality entrepreneurship training, tailored business development services, and mentorship programs for women, youth, and people with disabilities in agriculture-based sectors. By strengthening capacity and integrating micro enterprises into green value chains, the project seeks to stimulate local job creation and promote inclusive participation in Africa's green economy. Invest in Africa will serve as the implementing partner for the project. As a non-profit organization, IIA is dedicated to supporting African SMEs by facilitating market access, developing skills, and improving access to finance. FAPA is a multi-donor trust fund that supports technical assistance and capacity building initiatives aligned with the African Development Bank's Private Sector Development Strategy. The Government of Japan is FAPA's primary donor. Since its inception, FAPA has financed over 100 projects across more than 38 African countries, committing more than $80 million to improve business environments, deepen financial systems, and foster the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises. FAPA funding allows the Bank to play a more active role in upstream project preparation, thereby strengthening the pipeline of bankable private sector operations. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Briefing Highlights: How the African Development Fund is Financing Africa's Future in a Shifting Global Landscape
Briefing Highlights: How the African Development Fund is Financing Africa's Future in a Shifting Global Landscape

Zawya

time4 hours ago

  • Zawya

Briefing Highlights: How the African Development Fund is Financing Africa's Future in a Shifting Global Landscape

The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group's ( concessional financing arm, was the focus of a special edition of the African Transformation Briefing co-hosted by the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Global Strategic Communications Council. Moderated by ACET Communications Manager Belinda Ayamgha, the session was held virtually on 29 July 2025. The media-focused event convened development partners, journalists, and policymakers for an in-depth conversation on the Fund's role in financing economic transformation across 37 low-income African countries, nearly half of which are classified as fragile states. Valerie Dabady, Manager of Resource Mobilization and Partnerships at the African Development Bank, delivered a keynote presentation outlining the Fund's catalytic impact, financing structure, and evolving strategic direction. She underscored the Fund's ability to channel investments in areas such as climate resilience and regional integration through concessional resources tailored to country-specific needs and highlighted plans to expand its resource base. 'With 37 member countries and over $45 billion in investments since inception, the African Development Fund is a cornerstone of Africa's development financing architecture,' Dabady said. 'As we look toward the future, innovations like market borrowing and expanded donor engagement will be critical to increasing our impact.' The briefing also featured a country perspective from Joseph Chanda, Assistant Director for Economic Management and Planning in Zambia's Ministry of Finance. Chanda highlighted how Zambia is leveraging African Development Fund resources to accelerate infrastructure development, build climate resilience, and deepen regional integration. 'ADF financing has played a transformative role in Zambia,' he noted. 'By allocating just 10% of our national resources to the Lobito Corridor, we were able to leverage over $330 million in regional window co-financing. These are the types of investments that build real economies and regional prosperity.' The Lobito Corridor, a strategic rail and road project connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, is among the largest regional integration initiatives currently under preparation with support from the African Development Fund. With a $500 million commitment, the Fund is helping to finance and de-risk the project, which is expected to catalyze investment in logistics, agriculture, and mining, particularly in critical minerals vital to the global energy transition. Chanda also referenced the Kazungula Bridge Project, a regional integration initiative co-financed by the Fund with an investment of $68 million. Completed in 2021, the 923-meter-long bridge spans the Zambezi River, connecting Zambia and Botswana and replacing a long-standing ferry service. The project also includes One-Stop Border Posts on both sides of the bridge, significantly streamlining customs procedures and reducing transit times along the North–South Corridor. It supports intra-African trade, enhances regional logistics efficiency, and has become a key node for trade between Southern and Central Africa. Participants raised questions on donor engagement, capital market access, and the future structure of the Fund. Dabady reaffirmed the Bank's ongoing efforts to attract non-traditional partners and finalize approvals that would enable the Fund to access capital markets. 'The ADF has long flown under the radar,' she said. 'But this is a pivotal moment to raise its profile, demonstrate impact, and unlock greater investment for Africa's most pressing priorities.' The session concluded with a call to action from Kerezhi Sebany, Africa Director for Economic Opportunities at the ONE Campaign. 'We must shine a light on the African Development Fund,' she said. 'When people know what the Fund is and what it delivers, it fosters transparency, trust, and partnership. Now is the time to tell the ADF story and tell it boldly.' The African Development Fund is currently undergoing its 17th replenishment cycle (ADF-17). The next consultative meeting with development partner representatives will be held virtually on 18-19 September 2025. This will be followed by a meeting in Lusaka, Zambia in October, where Zambia government representatives will share results and country-level experiences. The final pledging session for ADF-17 is scheduled for December 2025. Watch the briefing: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store