The Swiss star is yet to confirm whether he will appear at the tournament.
Federer would be firm favourite to win the event, having just lifted his 97th career title at the Rotterdam Open.
The new world No 1 hinted he may compete despite wanting to undertake a lighter clay court schedule to enhance his chances of winning bigger events.
But Federer is yet to announce his intentions.
Having not been included in the list of direct entrants into the tournament, the 36-year-old now needs a wild card to compete in the event.
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ATP rules state a tournament must declare its wild card entries by 12pm EST [5pm GMT] on the Friday before the main draw starts.
The men’s tournament gets underway on Monday afternoon but Dubai organisers are yet to confirm any of the four wild cards.
Tournament chief Salah Tahlak recently begged Federer to play at the event.
“It is a critical decision to make for him personally as I am sure he [Federer] can see the possibility of being at the top of the world once again,” he told Gulf News.
If Federer doesn’t appear at the tournament, Grigor Dimitrov will be the highest seeded player.