United Arab Emirates
FIFA Club World Cup Play-In / United Arab Emirates
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The United Arab Emirates national football team is one of the greatest Arab sides. The UAE football team, also known as “Al Abyad” and “Eyal Zayed”, is an underrated side from the Asian continent. The United Arab Emirates national football team is part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAE FA).
The side, however, has failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the UAE falling short of Iraq after a 90+17-minute goal, which sealed their World Cup fate. The team had one prior appearance in the World Cup, in 1990. However, the side flopped at the tournament, losing all of their group stage matches. However, they have managed to win the Arabian Gulf Cup twice, in 2007 and 2013.
The United Arab Emirates football team is one of the most underrated Asian sides recently. The team is currently ranked 67th in the FIFA World Rankings. They played their first ever match on 17 March 1972, defeating Qatar national football team 1-0 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Their nickname is the “Al Abyad” and “Eyal Zayed”. The team is renowned for producing some of the biggest talents in Asian football.
While various United Arab Emirates national football team players are known for influencing the sport in the nation, many consider Adnan Al Talyani to be the greatest United Arab Emirates player to grace the game. Known as “The Prince”, he is regarded as one of the greatest Asian players ever. The all-time top scorer of the United Arab Emirates is Ali Mabkhout, having scored 85 goals for the nation. Adnan Al Talyani is the nation's most capped player, having earned 161 caps. The current United Arab Emirates national football team coach is Cosmin Olariu, taking over the reins in April 2025. The United Arab Emirates national football team stadium is the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. The Arab football team players primarily speak the Arabic language. Here are some of the facts about the United Arab Emirates football team.
| Confederation | AFC |
| President of UAE FA | Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan |
| Nickname | “Al Abyad” (The Whites), “Eyal Zayed” (Sons of Zayed) |
| National Stadium | Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium |
| Capacity | 36,186 |
| Manager/Head Coach | Cosmin Olariu |
The United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAE FA) is the governing body of footballing activities in the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1971, it oversees professional, semi-professional, and amateur football in the United Arab Emirates, as well as playing a huge role in player development.
The UAE FA organizes all the major leagues and cup competitions in the country. Headed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the KFA manages all the activities of the men's and women's national teams. The United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAE FA) became a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 1974.
The United Arab Emirates football team qualified for its first-ever AFC Asian Cup in 1980; however, the team didn't progress beyond the group stages. The side also qualified for the 1984 and 1988 AFC Asian Cups.
Brazilian manager Mário Zagallo led the side to its first-ever World Cup in 1990. However, he resigned before the tournament commenced and was replaced by former head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. The side had a disappointing outing in the tournament, losing all three of their group stage matches. In 2007, French Manager Bruno Metsu led the side to the Arabian Gulf Cup title, defeating Oman 1-0 in the final. This was the side's first-ever major tournament victory.
In 2013, domestic manager Mahdi Ali led the side to their second Arabian Gulf Cup title, guided by various youth players. A major controversy occurred during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, a tournament the nation hosted. During a semi-final tie, numerous UAE fans threw footwear at the Qatari players while celebrating the side's second goal. UAE eventually incurred a humiliating 4-0 defeat. Recently, the side failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after losing to Iraq 2-1, after conceding a 90+17 minute penalty.
The United Arab Emirates national football team plays its home matches in the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Located in Abu Dhabi, it serves as the home ground of both the men's and women's national teams. The stadium, which was opened in 1980, with an initial capacity of 15,000. The stadium was then expanded to a capacity of 24,000. The stadium currently has a capacity of 36,186. The stadium has hosted numerous tournaments like the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups.
United Arab Emirates has only enjoyed limited success in terms of trophies. The only major achievement for the side is winning the Arabian Gulf Cup twice, in 2007 and 2013. The side also managed to reach the final of the AFC Asian Cup once, in 1996.
| Competitions | No. of Titles/Achievements | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Arabian Gulf Cup | 2 | 2007, 2013 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the President of the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAE FA)?
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan is the president of the United Arab Emirates Football Association.
Has the United Arab Emirates National Football Team Ever Won a Trophy?
The United Arab Emirates managed to win the Arabian Gulf Cup twice - in 2007 and 2013.
Who is United Arab Emirates National Football Team Top Scorer?
United Arab Emirates national football team top scorer is Ali Mabkhout, who managed to score 85 goals for the country.
Where is United Arab Emirates ranked in football?
United Arab Emirates is currently ranked 67th in the FIFA World Rankings.
In which year, the United Arab Emirates National Football Team played their first match?
United Arab Emirates played its first match against Qatar in 1972.
What is United Arab Emirates National Football Team’s highest finish in a FIFA World Cup Tournament?
United Arab Emirates highest finish came in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where the side got eliminated the group stage.
What language does the United Arab Emirates National Football Team Speak?
United Arab Emirates national football team players speak Arabic.
Who is United Arab Emirates National Football Team Best Player of All Time?
Adnan Al Talyani is considered the best United Arab Emirates national team player of all time.
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