United Arab Emirates national football team#FIFA Confederations Cup

The first match of the team was played on 17 March 1972 against Qatar at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium and won with the only goal scored by Ahmed Chowbi. Then, the team faced three other Arabian countries, losing 4–0 and 7–0 to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait respectively and beating Bahrain 3 to nothing. After participating in four Gulf Cup tournaments since 1972, United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosted the 1982 edition. It again finished third as did in the two previous tournaments.

In 1980, United Arab Emirates first-time qualified for the AFC Asian Cup which was held in Kuwait and were drawn with eventual winners, Kuwait, runner-up South Korea, Malaysia and Qatar in Group B. It drew 1–1 with Kuwait and lost the three other matches and finished in fifth place in the group and ninth (out of ten teams) overall. It also qualified for the next two tournaments, 1984 in Singapore and 1988 in Qatar and was again eliminated in the group stages in both. Its first victory of the tournament occurred against India on 7 December 1984, under manager Heshmat Mohajerani.

In 1984, Mohajerani resigned and was replaced with Carlos Alberto Parreira. Parreira led the team at the 1988 Asian Cup and left his position after the tournament. He was succeeded by Mário Zagallo. Zagallo led the team to the qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. However, Zagallo resigned before the tournament and Parreira returned. The team finished fourth at the 1990 World Cup's final tournament with no points, scoring two goals and conceding 11 goals. The journey was put into a 2016 documentary titled Lights of Rome.{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/uae-sport/uaes-1990-world-cup-journey-now-a-documentary-1.1937574|title=UAE's 1990 World Cup journey now a documentary|publisher=Gulf News|date=30 November 2016|access-date=11 February 2019|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428115001/https://gulfnews.com/sport/uae-sport/uaes-1990-world-cup-journey-now-a-documentary-1.1937574|url-status=live}} After the tournament, Parreira was sacked.

At the 1992 and 1996 AFC Asian Cups, United Arab Emirates finished fourth and second respectively for the first times. United Arab Emirates appeared in the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup after being awarded a spot because Saudi Arabia was hosting the games.

United Arab Emirates missed the qualification for the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon and finished in last place at the 2002 Arabian Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia. It was eliminated in the next three Asian Cup tournaments at the group stage. In 2004 and 2007 editions, UAE was all eliminated by the hand to debutants Jordan and Vietnam. In 2011, it finished the tournament goalless. At this time, United Arab Emirates appointed world class coaches like Carlos Queiroz, Roy Hodgson and Dick Advocaat. In 2006, UAE appointed Bruno Metsu as the new manager. He led the Emirates to carry the 2007 Arabian Gulf Cup title.

After hiring foreign coaches, in 2012, United Arab Emirates appointed the Olympic team coach Mahdi Ali as the manager of the senior team. Ali began creating a squad inviting players that he had worked with at the youth level. He led the Emirates to their second Arabian Gulf Cup title in 2013. At the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, United Arab Emirates defeated Qatar 4–1 and Bahrain 2–1 and lost to Iran by a goal. As group runner-up, it faced the defending champions Japan in the quarter-final and earned a victory on penalties to advance to the last four. In the semi-finals, it lost 2–0 to the host Australia. In the third-place play-off, it beat Iraq 3–2. United Arab Emirates qualified through the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification where it finished fourth in Group B thus failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Ahmed Khalil was a top scorer in the qualification. Around this time Mahdi Ali resigned from his position.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/uae/2018-world-cup-qualifying-mahdi-ali-resigns-as-uae-s-world-cup-dream-ends-with-defeat-to-australia-1.154535?videoId=5587173110001|title=Mahdi Ali resigns as UAE's World Cup ends with a defeat|date=28 March 2018|publisher=The National|access-date=22 March 2019|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322223205/https://www.thenational.ae/sport/uae/2018-world-cup-qualifying-mahdi-ali-resigns-as-uae-s-world-cup-dream-ends-with-defeat-to-australia-1.154535?videoId=5587173110001|url-status=live}}

United Arab Emirates then hosted the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, this marked the second time they hosted an AFC Asian Cup. The team had Italian Alberto Zaccheroni as their coach. In the AFC Asian Cup tournament, UAE proceeded to the quarter-finals where it scored its first-ever goal against Australia to gain its first-ever win against this opponent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/25/asian-cup-report-australia-uae-south-korea-qatar-son-heung-min-spurs|title=Australia out of Asian Cup as UAE pounce on Milos Degenek error|website=TheGuardian.com|date=25 January 2019|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=3 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203113548/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/25/asian-cup-report-australia-uae-south-korea-qatar-son-heung-min-spurs|url-status=live}} The semi-finals was between the host and Qatar.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/football/AFC-Asian-Cup:-UAE-Qatar-match-tickets-sell-like-hot-cakes|title=AFC Asian Cup: UAE-Qatar match tickets sell like hot cakes|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011754/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sport/football/AFC-Asian-Cup:-UAE-Qatar-match-tickets-sell-like-hot-cakes|url-status=live}} Some audiences threw footwear in the pitch after Qatar scored its second goal. UAE lost 0–4 marking its first defeat to Qatar since 2001.

United Arab Emirates joined the second round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers and was placed with all-out Southeast Asian opponents. The team had already appointed the Dutch guider Bert van Marwijk. Bert was sacked after his start undergoing two away losses to Thailand and Vietnam in the qualifiers along his group stage exit in the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/05/uae-fires-coach-van-marwijk-after-qatar-defeat|title=UAE fires coach Van Marwijk after Qatar defeat|date=5 December 2019|publisher=euronews|access-date=5 December 2019|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226022816/https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/05/uae-fires-coach-van-marwijk-after-qatar-defeat|url-status=live}} After this, the Emirates decided to naturalize Argentine Sebastián Tagliabúe, Brazilian Caio Canedo Corrêa and Fábio Virginio de Lima, the three South American players, having never done so since the foundation of the national team.{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/why-foreign-footballers-are-getting-uae-passports-and-what-it-means-for-you-1.69295828|title=Why foreign footballers are getting UAE passports|publisher=gulfnews|access-date=27 January 2020|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615120456/https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/why-foreign-footballers-are-getting-uae-passports-and-what-it-means-for-you-1.69295828|url-status=live}} The team then experienced a period of coaching instabilities, with three different coaches, before van Marwijk resumed his duty due to crisis in option. With the COVID-19 pandemic however, the AFC decided the remaining games of the second round would be played in one country,{{Cite web |date=2021-03-12 |title=AFC confirm hub venues for 2022 World Cup qualifiers |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37614979/afc-confirm-hub-venues-2022-asian-world-cup-qualifiers |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-03-12 |title=AFC announces centralized World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers with Arab nations hosting five groups |url=https://arab.news/p6dkf |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Arab News PK |language=en}} and with the UAE chosen to host Group G, they were able to utilize the home-field advantage as the host nation, ultimately u-turned the earlier misery into four consecutive wins to break through into the third round, where they faced its neighbours and the powerhouses Iran and South Korea.{{Cite web |last=McAuley |first=John |date=2021-06-15 |title=UAE advance to 2022 World Cup qualification third round after crucial win over Vietnam |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/uae-advance-to-2022-world-cup-qualification-third-round-after-crucial-win-over-vietnam-1.1242125 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=The National |language=en}} In the third round, the UAE failed to produce a promising performance after winning just one out of six first games, a 1–0 away win over Lebanon, drew three and lost two, adding with the UAE's below average performance in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup despite reaching the quarter-finals, that was enough to sack the Dutch manager van Marwijk yet again.{{cite web | url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/news/report_group_a_lebanon_v_united_arab_emirates.html | title=Group A: UAE beat Lebanon for first win | access-date=20 June 2022 | archive-date=13 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113011414/https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers/news/report_group_a_lebanon_v_united_arab_emirates.html | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2021/12/11/uae-crash-out-of-fifa-arab-cup-with-5-0-quarter-final-defeat-in-qatar/ | title=UAE crash out of Fifa Arab Cup with 5-0 quarter-final defeat in Qatar | date=11 December 2021 | access-date=20 June 2022 | archive-date=29 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529080013/https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2021/12/11/uae-crash-out-of-fifa-arab-cup-with-5-0-quarter-final-defeat-in-qatar/ | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/dutchman-van-marwijk-fired-uae-coach-second-time-2022-02-12/ | title=Dutchman van Marwijk fired as UAE coach for second time | newspaper=Reuters | date=12 February 2022 | access-date=20 June 2022 | archive-date=21 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521170628/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/dutchman-van-marwijk-fired-uae-coach-second-time-2022-02-12/ | url-status=live }} After inconsistency in performance, the UAE appointed Argentine manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena as coach, and the team's result improved, winning two out of four games, notably an impressive 1–0 home win over already-qualified South Korea, to reach the fourth round, increased hope for the country to qualify for the first-ever World Cup since 1990, where they would face the old foe Australia, whom the UAE defeated in the latest meeting.{{cite web | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-uae-stun-south-korea-to-earn-world-cup-playoff-with-australia | title=Football: UAE stun South Korea to earn World Cup playoff with Australia | the Straits Times | date=30 March 2022 | access-date=20 June 2022 | archive-date=20 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620182303/https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-uae-stun-south-korea-to-earn-world-cup-playoff-with-australia | url-status=live }} However, the UAE was unable to utilise their geographical advantage in the playoff in neighbouring Qatar, losing 1–2 to Australia by a thunderous strike at 84' by Ajdin Hrustic to deny the UAE's its potential second appearance; they later stunned South America's rising power Peru to qualify for the edition.{{cite web |date=7 June 2022 |title=United Arab Emirates 1-2 Australia: World Cup 2022 qualifying playoff – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/jun/08/socceroos-united-arab-emirates-vs-australia-world-cup-2022-qualifying-uae-v-aus-live-updates-football-scores-teams-news-qualifier-team-score-tv-coverage-game-start-kick-off-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620182337/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/jun/08/socceroos-united-arab-emirates-vs-australia-world-cup-2022-qualifying-uae-v-aus-live-updates-football-scores-teams-news-qualifier-team-score-tv-coverage-game-start-kick-off-time |archive-date=20 June 2022 |access-date=20 June 2022 |website=TheGuardian.com}}

UAE's common rivals are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Iran.{{cite news|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gulf-rivalry-between-iran-uae-transfered-to-the-football-pitch-51560|title=Gulf rivalry between Iran, UAE transferred to the football pitch|work=Hurriyet Daily|first=James M.|last=Dorsey|date=29 July 2013|accessdate=10 September 2019|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411001516/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gulf-rivalry-between-iran-uae-transfered-to-the-football-pitch-51560|url-status=live}}

{{main|Qatar–United Arab Emirates football rivalry}}

The rivalry with Qatar is a competitive one in the Arabian Gulf Cup meeting in multiple occasions, due to Qatar diplomatic crisis, increasing tensions had been witnessed, with the captain of UAE under-19 youth team refused to shake hands with Qatar's youth captain in 2018 AFC U-19 Championship held in Indonesia; in this tournament, the UAE beat Qatar 2–1 but still crashed out from the group stage while Qatar would recover to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-u19-championship/955915/political-tension-uae-vs-qatar-afc-u-19/|title=Political tension spills on the pitch between UAE and Qatar in AFC U19|date=18 October 2018|work=foxnews|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409020423/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-u19-championship/955915/political-tension-uae-vs-qatar-afc-u-19/|url-status=dead}} As of 2020, Qatar and UAE have played 31 official matches, most of which was held competitively in the Arabian Gulf Cup, it started off with the United Arab Emirates beating Qatar 1–0. They only played 2 friendly games and the last friendly was held in 2011 which ended with an Emirati victory. In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, hosted by the UAE, Qatar overran the UAE for the first time since 2001 with the result 4–0, with heavy tensions and violence occurred between two and Emirati supporters cheering anti-Qatari chants.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/watch-uae-fans-throw-shoes-and-bottles-at-qatar-players/1hb2ugcnngjfe15kvayfrmccij|title=UAE fans throw shoes and bottles at "Qatari" players|date=27 January 2019|publisher=|access-date=4 March 2019|archive-date=30 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730143407/https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/watch-uae-fans-throw-shoes-and-bottles-at-qatar-players/1hb2ugcnngjfe15kvayfrmccij|url-status=live}}

Another major rival the UAE takes on Arabian Gulf Cup many times, the two teams have met in the AFC Asian Cup twice, first in the semi-finals of the 1992 edition which ended in a Saudi victory and second in the final of the 1996 edition in which UAE hosted, the game ended in a goalless draw which meant the game had to be decided in penalties, the game ended with Saudi Arabia taking home their 3rd title with the penalty scoreline being 4–2, this remains the only time the Emirates qualified for the final meanwhile this would also be the last time the Saudis would win an Asian Cup as they would lose the next two finals they qualified for in 2000 and 2007. When the countries meet in qualifier matches, the matchup has been nicknamed "clash of titans" as both countries have been some of the more successful teams in the Arabian Peninsula.{{cite web |last1=Prashant |first1=N. D. |title=UAE take on Saudi Arabia in clash of titans |url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/uae-take-on-saudi-arabia-in-clash-of-titans-1.2146303 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en |access-date=17 June 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831123253/https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/uae-take-on-saudi-arabia-in-clash-of-titans-1.2146303 |url-status=live }}

{{Commons|United Arab Emirates national football team kits}}The UAE's traditional home kit is all-white with some red trim while their away kit is all-red with some white trim, in 2019, the away colors were black for the first time in addition, there were some green trim.

The United Arab Emirates is known by supporters and the media as Al-Abyad, meaning The Whites which reference to their white jersey and also Eyal Zayed which means Zayed's sons.

In October 2012, the Asian Football Confederation official website published an article about the UAE national team's campaign to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, in which the team was referred to using the racial slur "sand monkey". This was the indirect result of vandalism of the Wikipedia article on the team, and the AFC was forced to apologise.{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Ryan |title=Asian Football Confederation apologize for calling UAE national team 'Sand Monkeys' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/asian-football-confederation-apologize-calling-uae-national-team-182949385--sow.html |website=Yahoo Sports |accessdate=21 June 2020 |language=en |date=15 Oct 2012 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325192044/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/asian-football-confederation-apologize-calling-uae-national-team-182949385--sow.html |url-status=live }}

As of 2022, UAE has played in 12 home stadiums. Most games have taken place at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi with Abu Dhabi's Al Jazira Stadium and Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain as other venues.

{{main|United Arab Emirates national football team results (2020–present)}}

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 6 June 2024

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|3}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|NEP}}

|score = 0–4

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017184?gender=1&date=2023-11-15

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Abdalla {{goal|12||14}}
• Saleh {{goal|53}}
• Mohammed {{goal|75}}

|stadium = Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium

|location = Dammam, Saudi Arabia

|attendance = 2,450

|referee = Payam Heydari (Iran)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 11 June 2024

|time = {{UTZ|21:00|4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017190?gender=1&date=2023-11-15

|team2 = {{fb|BHR}}

|goals1 =

• Adil {{goal|10}}

|goals2 =

• Abduljabbar {{goal|4}}

|stadium = Zabeel Stadium

|location = Dubai, United Arab Emirates

|attendance = 953

|referee = Ma Ning (China)

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 5 September 2024

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|3}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|QAT}}

|score = 1–3

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018447

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|goals1 =

• Al-Hassan {{goal|38}}

|goals2 =

• Abdalla {{goal|68}}
• Ibrahim {{goal|80}}
• Ali Saleh {{goal|90+4}}

|stadium = Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

|location = Al Rayyan, Qatar

|attendance = 33,952

|referee = Shaun Evans (Australia)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 10 September 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:00|4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 0–1

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018450

|team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

• Ghayedi {{goal|45+3}}

|stadium = Hazza bin Zayed Stadium

|location = Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

|attendance = 17,826

|referee = Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 10 October 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:00|4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 1–1

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018451

|team2 = {{fb|PRK}}

|goals1 =

• Al-Ghassani {{goal|66}}

|goals2 =

• Jong Il-gwan {{goal|86}}

|stadium = Hazza bin Zayed Stadium

|location = Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

|attendance = 8,536

|referee = Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 15 October 2024

|time = {{UTZ|19:00|5}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UZB}}

|score = 1–0

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018463

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|goals1 =

• Shukurov {{goal|76|pen.}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Milliy Stadium

|location = Tashkent, Uzbekistan

|attendance =

|referee = Ma Ning (China)

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 14 November 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:15|4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 3–0

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018453

|team2 = {{fb|KGZ}}

|goals1 =

• Abdalla {{goal|15||89}}
• Meloni {{goal|35}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium

|location = Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|attendance = 6,238

|referee = Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 19 November 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:00|4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 5–0

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018452

|team2 = {{fb|QAT}}

|goals1 =

• Fábio Lima {{goal|4||45|pen.|45+5||56|pen.}}
• Al-Ghassani {{goal|73}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Al Nahyan Stadium

|location = Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|attendance = 13,825

|referee = Khalid Saleh Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 21 December 2024

|time = {{UTZ||3}}

|round = 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

|team1 = {{fb-rt|QAT}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|report =

|goals1 =

• Afif {{goal|17|pen.}}

|goals2 =

• Al-Ghassani {{goal|45+1}}

|location = Kuwait City, Kuwait

|stadium = Sulaibikhat Stadium

|attendance = 5,007

|referee = István Kovács (Romania)

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 24 December 2024

|time = {{UTZ|20:30|3}}

|round = 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 1–2

|team2 = {{fb|KUW}}

|report =

|goals1 =

• Caio {{goal|5}}

|goals2 =

• Daham {{goal|16}}
• M. Al-Enezi {{goal|89}}

|location = Kuwait City, Kuwait

|stadium = Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium

|attendance = 48,621

|referee = Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

|result = L

}}

{{football box collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 27 December 2024

|time = {{UTZ|17:30|3}}

|round = 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score = 1–1

|team2 = {{fb|OMA}}

|report =

|goals1 =

• Al-Ghassani {{goal|20}}

|goals2 =

• Al-Mushaifri {{goal|79}}

|location = Kuwait City, Kuwait

|stadium = Sulaibikhat Stadium

|attendance =

|referee = Ammar Mahfoodh (Bahrain)

|result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 20 March 2025

|time = {{UTZ|19:30|3:30}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

|score = 2–0

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018437

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

| goals1 =

• Azmoun {{goal|45+27}}
• Mohebi {{goal|70}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Azadi Stadium

|location = Tehran, Iran

|attendance = 20,469

|referee = Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)

|result = L

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 25 March 2025

|time = {{UTZ|21:15|3}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|PRK}}

|score = 1–2

|report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018442

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|goals1 =

• Yu-song {{goal|43}}

|goals2 =

• Lima {{goal|5}}
• Adil {{goal|90+8}}

|location = Riyadh, Saudi Arabia{{refn|group="note"|name=North Korea March 2025|The North Korean team chose Riyadh as their home venue for match against United Arab Emirates due to "security concerns".}}

|stadium = Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium

|attendance = 223

|referee = Mohammed Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 5 June 2025

|time = {{UTZ||4}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

|score =

|report =

|team2 = {{fb|UZB}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium =

|location = United Arab Emirates

|attendance =

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

|date = 10 June 2025

|time = {{UTZ||6}}

|round = 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

|team1 = {{fb-rt|KGZ}}

|score =

|report =

|team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|stadium = Dolen Omurzakov Stadium

|location = Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

|attendance =

|referee =

|result =

}}

{{Main|List of United Arab Emirates national football team managers}}

Last Update: April 2025[https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/cosmin-olaroiu-takes-uae-reins-with-world-cup-dream-in-sight-1.500099872 Officials]

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games against {{fb|IRN}} and {{fb|PRK}} on 20 and 25 March 2025.{{cite web |title=Our squad for this month's World Cup 2026 Qualifiers against IR Iran and DPR Korea |url=https://x.com/UAEFNT/status/1897269853469466835 |website=Twitter.com |publisher=UAE NT |access-date=5 March 2025 |format=Tweet}}

Caps and goals correct as of 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|PRK}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Ali Khasif|age={{birth date and age|1987|6|9|df=y}}|caps=72|goals=0|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=GK|name=Khalid Eisa|other=captain|age={{birth date and age|1989|9|15|df=y}}|caps=88|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=GK|name=Hamad Al-Meqebaali|age={{birth date and age|2003|7|13|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0202FF}}

{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Lucas Pimenta|age={{birth date and age|2000|7|17|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Al Wahda|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Kouame Autonne|age={{birth date and age|2000|9|22|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=Marcus Meloni|age={{birth date and age|2000|6|25|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=1|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=DF|name=Khalifa Al Hammadi|age={{birth date and age|1998|11|7|df=y}}|caps=53|goals=2|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=DF|name=Mohammed Al-Attas|age={{birth date and age|1997|8|5|df=y}}|caps=33|goals=1|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=DF|name=Khaled Ibrahim|age={{birth date and age|1997|1|17|df=y}}|caps=23|goals=1|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=MF|name=Isam Faiz|age={{birth date and age|2000|3|6|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Ajman|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=MF|name=Abdullah Ramadan|age={{birth date and age|1998|3|7|df=y}}|caps=48|goals=1|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Tahnoon Al-Zaabi|age={{birth date and age|1999|4|10|df=y}}|caps=37|goals=1|club=Al Wahda|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=MF|name=Harib Abdalla|age={{birth date and age|2002|11|26|df=y}}|caps=37|goals=7|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=MF|name=Fábio Lima|age={{birth date and age|1993|6|30|df=y}}|caps=39|goals=17|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=MF|name=Yahia Nader|age={{birth date and age|1998|9|11|df=y}}|caps=19|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=Jonatas|age={{birth date and age|2001|12|16|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name=Mackenzie Hunt|age={{birth date and age|2001|11|14|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Fleetwood Town|clubnat=ENG}}

{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=MF|name=Yahya Al-Ghassani|age={{birth date and age|1998|4|18|df=y}}|caps=30|goals=9|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=MF|name=Luanzinho|age={{birth date and age|2000|4|21|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=FW|name=Bruno|age={{birth date and age|2001|6|10|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=0|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=Caio Canedo|age={{birth date and age|1990|8|9|df=y}}|caps=54|goals=10|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=FW|name=Caio Lucas|age={{birth date and age|1994|4|19|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=FW|name=Sultan Adil|age={{birth date and age|2004|5|4|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=7|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs end}}

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last 12 months.

{{nat fs r start|background=#0202FF|color=white}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Khaled Tawhid|age={{birth date and age|2004|2|16|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|IRN}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Adli Mohamed|age={{birth date and age|2004|9|14|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Southampton|clubnat=ENG|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 19 November 2024 ^PRE}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0202FF}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Zayed Sultan|age={{birth date and age|2001|4|11|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=1|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|IRN}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Alaeddine Zouhir|age={{birth date and age|2000|3|7|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Al Wahda|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|IRN}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Abdulla Idrees|age={{birth date and age|1999|8|16|df=y}}|caps=19|goals=0|club=Al Nasr|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|IRN}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Khamis Al-Mansoori|age={{birth date and age|2004|1|15|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Baniyas|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Faris Khalil|age={{birth date and age|2000|10|8|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Khalid Al-Hashemi|age={{birth date and age|1997|3|18|df=y}}|caps=16|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 19 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Abdulrahman Saleh|age={{birth date and age|2002|10|13|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|PRK}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Bader Nasser|age={{birth date and age|2001|9|16|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|BHR}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0202FF}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Majid Rashid|age={{birth date and age|2000|5|16|df=y}}|caps=20|goals=0|club=Sharjah|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Mohammed Abbas|age={{birth date and age|2002|9|30|df=y}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Solomon Sosu|age={{birth date and age|2005|3|5|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Ali Salmeen|age={{birth date and age|1995|4|2|df=y}}|caps=63|goals=3|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 15 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Abdulla Hamad|age={{birth date and age|2001|9|18|df=y}}|caps=20|goals=0|club=Al Wahda|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 15 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Hazem Mohammad|age={{birth date and age|2005|3|18|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=1|club=Al Ain|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|BHR}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Mubarak Beni Zamah|age={{birth date and age|2003|11|29|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Al Jazira|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|BHR}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0202FF}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Fahad Badr|age={{birth date and age|2001|3|9|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Baniyas|clubnat=UAE|latest=26th Arabian Gulf Cup}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Junior Ndiaye|age={{birth date and age|2005|3|29|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Montpellier|clubnat=FRA|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 19 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Ali Saleh|age={{birth date and age|2000|1|22|df=y}}|caps=42|goals=6|club=Al Wasl|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|KGZ}}, 14 November 2024 ^INJ}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Mohammed Jumaa|age={{birth date and age|1997|1|28|df=y}}|caps=10|goals=1|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 5 September 2024 ^PRE}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0B0B3F}}

^SUS Suspended

^INJ Withdrew from the squad due to an injury

^PRE Preliminary squad

^RET Retired from international association football

{{nat fs end|background=#0B0B3F}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

;FIFA World Cup

• 1990 World Cup squad

;FIFA Confederations Cup

• 1997 Confederations Cup squad

{{col-3}}

;AFC Asian Cup

• 1980 Asian Cup squad
• 1984 Asian Cup squad
• 1988 Asian Cup squad
• 1992 Asian Cup squad
• 1996 Asian Cup squad
• 2004 Asian Cup squad
• 2007 Asian Cup squad
• 2011 Asian Cup squad
• 2015 Asian Cup squad
• 2019 Asian Cup squad
• 2023 Asian Cup squad

{{col-end}}

{{updated|20 March 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/century.html |title=United Arab Emirates – Record International Players |author=Roberto Mamrud; Karel Stokkermans |access-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709141145/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/century.html |archive-date=9 July 2022 }}

:Players in bold are still active with United Arab Emirates.

File:عدنان الطلياني2011.jpg

File:Ali Mabkhout, UAE&AUS 20190125 Asian Cup.jpg

{{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} Champion  {{Color box|silver|border=darkgray}} Runners-up  {{Color box|#cc9966|border=darkgray}} Third place  

{{main|United Arab Emirates at the FIFA World Cup}}

{{Main article|United Arab Emirates at the AFC Asian Cup}}

{{see also|United Arab Emirates national football team all-time record}}

As of 25 March 2025{{cite web|url=http://www.eloratings.net/United_Arab_Emirates|title=World Football Elo Ratings: United Arab Emirates|publisher=Eloratings.net|date=5 January 2019|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091424/http://www.eloratings.net/United_Arab_Emirates|url-status=live}}

{{notelist}}

{{col-begin|width=60%}}

• AFC Asian Cup
• File:Med 2.png Runners-up (1): 1996
• File:Med 3.png Third place (1): 2015

• Arabian Gulf Cup
• File:Med 1.png Champions (2): 2007, 2013
• File:Med 2.png Runners-up (4): 1986, 1988, 1994, 2017–18

• Friendship Tournament
• Winners: 1996, 1998, 2000
• Kirin Cup
• Winners: 2005
• OSN Cup
• Winners: 2013
• LG Cup
• Winners: 2000{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesu/uae-friend00.html|title=Friendship Tournament 2000 (UAE)|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203191418/https://rsssf.org/tablesu/uae-friend00.html|url-status=live}}
• Oman Cup
• Winners: 2000{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/omantour00.html|title=Oman International Tournament 2000|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=8 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208132029/https://rsssf.org/tableso/omantour00.html|url-status=live}}

{{col-end}}

Only official senior honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.uaefa.ae/ UAE Football Association official website] {{in lang|ar|en}}
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/UAE United Arab Emirates] at FIFA
• [https://www.the-afc.com/en/west/uae.html United Arab Emirates] at AFC

{{United Arab Emirates national football team}}

{{Navboxes

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| titlestyle = background: white; color: #E00000; border: 1px solid black;

| list =

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{{Navboxes

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| list =

{{1980 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1984 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1988 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1992 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1996 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2004 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2007 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2011 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2015 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2019 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

}}

{{Navboxes

| title = UAE AFC Asian Cup Squads

| bg = #FF0000

| fg = white

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| list1 =

{{United Arab Emirates squad 1980 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 1984 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 1988 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 1992 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2004 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2007 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2011 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2015 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2019 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{United Arab Emirates squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}

}}

{{Navboxes

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| bg = #00843D

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{{United Arab Emirates squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}

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{{Football in the United Arab Emirates}}

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{{Portal bar|Association football|United Arab Emirates}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United Arab Emirates National Football Team}}

Category:Asian national association football teams

Category:1972 establishments in the United Arab Emirates