Citizens with regular passports of both countries will be allowed visa-free entry.
Published: Tue 30 Oct 2018, 4:03 PM
The UAE is preparing for an influx of avid Central American football fans following the recent announcement by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, allowing for visa-free travel between the two countries' citizens and which comes into effect on Wednesday, October 31.
With easier access between the two countries, the visa waiver is expected to encourage even more CD Guadalajara supporters to attend the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 in December, where Mexico's Liga MX champions will join five other continental club champions and UAE Pro-League winners Al Ain FC to compete for the title of world club champions.
The Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018, which takes place in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from December 12 to 22, will see CD Guadalajara play the AFC Asian club champions in the quarter-finals of the tournament at Al Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on December 15.
The winner will then face reigning champions Real Madrid CF, who enter the competition at the semi-final stage, at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium on 19 December.
Aref Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018, commented: "Mexicans are well-known for their love of football and after a good showing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup 2018, this new visa waiver will ensure even more passionate Mexican fans can attend our tournament. We look forward to welcoming even more Chivas fans to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the UAE in December."
With just under two months to go until the start of the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018, the full match schedule will be completed in November after the AFC, CAF and CONMEBOL champions are confirmed.
Historic occasion
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico had exchanged a diplomatic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on visa exemption a few weeks prior, whereby citizens with regular passports of both countries will be allowed visa-free entry.
Ahmed Hatem Al Menhali, UAE Ambassador to Mexico, handed the diplomatic MoU issued by MoFAIC to Carlos de Icaza, Mexican Under-Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the mandate of Luis Videgaray Caso, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, while Al Menhali received the MoU from de Icaza issued by the Mexican Foreign Ministry.
Al Menhali praised the historic occasion and described it as the crowning of their intense bilateral efforts while noting its advantages. He also thanked the Mexican authorities, who contributed to its success.
De Icaza thanked Al Menhali on behalf of the Mexican Government and congratulated the UAE's wise leadership while wishing them further progress and prosperity.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials and members of legal and consular administrations.
With inputs from Wam
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