Thousands of Australian soccer fans are awaiting clearance to enter the United States ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup match between the Socceroos and the United States, scheduled for Saturday in Seattle. The large contingent of traveling supporters face uncertainty amid reports of strict U.S. border enforcement, which has seen some foreign visitors, including players and officials, denied entry in recent days.

Approximately 12,000 Australians had already traveled to Canada for the Socceroos’ match against Turkey on Sunday, with many planning to cross into the U.S. in the coming days to support the team in their next fixture. Football Australia chief Martin Kugeler expressed hope that the fans would not encounter difficulties at the U.S. border. He noted that, so far, no rejections among Australian fans had been reported and that most supporters were enthusiastic about attending the match.

“As you can imagine, my phone was blowing up yesterday,” Kugeler said, highlighting the high demand for tickets and the strong national interest in the game. He predicted a lively atmosphere at the stadium and acknowledged that Australian fans would be outnumbered by local supporters.

The match is set to kick off at 5 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time, with anticipation building both on and off the field. There has been no official confirmation regarding the attendance of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or U.S. President Donald Trump at the event.

Amid concerns over heightened immigration scrutiny, Australian fans remain hopeful that their investments in travel and tickets will be honored, allowing them to fully participate in the Socceroos’ pivotal match on American soil.