Football in the United Arab Emirates
Encyclopedia
Football is a widely practiced and popular sport in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE). Although not one of the leading footballing nations in Asia
, the UAE has nonetheless produced some outstanding teams at both club and international level as well as some talented individual players.
(UAEFA), the governning body for the sport in the UAE, was founded as recently as 1971, affiliating to FIFA
in 1974. A "test" league was run by the newly formed body in 1973-74 season in order to determine a format for competitive football in the country. The competition was won by Al-Oroba, with the triumph recognised as official in 2001 by the UAEFA. The UAE Football League as it is known, includes the top flight UAE Pro-League
with Al Ain S.C.C. the most successful club with nine title wins. A UAE Division 1 Group A and UAE Division 1 Group B are competed for at lower levels.
UAE football has seen a number of overseas players imported in recent years. Amongst the leading names to compete in UAE football have been Paraguay
an international Roberto Acuña
, former Internazionale striker Mohamed Kallon
and 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year
Fabio Cannavaro
. In 2011, David Trezeguet
and Diego Maradona
joined as player and coach respectively.
and the UAE Super Cup
, a one-off match between the league winners and the President's Cup winners. The major defunct competitions are the Federation Cup
, an irregular competition, the UAE Vice Presidents Cup
and the UAE FA Cup
.
, nicknamed Al Abyad, made their first appearance in 1972 and since then have enjoyed both highs and lows.
in 1980
when they were eliminated in the first round. Two more first round exits followed before the team finished fourth in 1992
. The UAE's finest hour in the competition came in 1996
when, as hosts, they topped their group and then won games against Iraq
and Kuwait
to set up a final against Saudi Arabia national football team
. The match ended in a 0-0 draw but UAE lost on penalties.
The team have qualified for three of the four subsequent tournaments but have not advanced beyond in the first round in any of those appearances.
only once, appearing at the 1990 tournament
. They were placed into Group D alongside leading European teams West Germany and Yugoslavia
as well as South Americans Colombia
. The team lost all three matches, 2-0 to Colombia, 5-1 to West Germany and 4-1 to Yugoslavia.
.
and the Under-17s
have been champions, the former winning the AFC tournament in 2008 and the latter the Gulf tournament in 2009. A women's team
also competes.
. Al Ain became the sole UAE team to win the competition in the 2002-03 season, defeating Thailand
's BEC Tero Sasana
2-1 on aggregate in a twolegged final. The club reached the final again in 2005 but lost to Saudi club Ittihad FC.
The GCC Champions League, a tournament for the leading Arab clubs from states on the Persian Gulf
, has been won by UAE clubs on four occasions - Al Shabab Al Arabi Club in 1992, Al Ain in 2001, Al Jazira Club in 2007 and Al Wasl FC
in 2010. As yet no UAE team has won the Arab Champions League
, with Al-Arabi coming closest when they finished as runners-up to Al-Shabab Riyadh of Saudi Arabia in 2001.
purchased the English
Premier League club Manchester City, installing Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
as owner and Khaldoon Al Mubarak
as chairman. With the wealth of the ruling family of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi behind them the club became effectively the richest in the world.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
(UAE). Although not one of the leading footballing nations in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, the UAE has nonetheless produced some outstanding teams at both club and international level as well as some talented individual players.
League
The United Arab Emirates Football AssociationUnited Arab Emirates Football Association
The United Arab Emirates Football Association is the governing body of football in the United Arab Emirates.-Domestic Competitions:*UAE Premier League*UAE Football League Division 1*UAE Football League Division 2*UAE Super Cup*UAE Vice Presidents Cup...
(UAEFA), the governning body for the sport in the UAE, was founded as recently as 1971, affiliating to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
in 1974. A "test" league was run by the newly formed body in 1973-74 season in order to determine a format for competitive football in the country. The competition was won by Al-Oroba, with the triumph recognised as official in 2001 by the UAEFA. The UAE Football League as it is known, includes the top flight UAE Pro-League
UAE Pro-League
The UAE Pro-League is the First Division of the UAE Football League, commonly known as Etisalat Pro-League for sponsorship reasons, since 2008, is the top professional association football league in United Arab Emirates...
with Al Ain S.C.C. the most successful club with nine title wins. A UAE Division 1 Group A and UAE Division 1 Group B are competed for at lower levels.
UAE football has seen a number of overseas players imported in recent years. Amongst the leading names to compete in UAE football have been Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an international Roberto Acuña
Roberto Acuña
Roberto Miguel Acuña Cabello is a Paraguayan footballer who plays for Club Rubio Ñú.Nicknamed El Toro due to his strength and dominating presence, he operated as a central midfielder...
, former Internazionale striker Mohamed Kallon
Mohamed Kallon
Mohamed Kallon is a Sierra Leonean international footballer and considered the most famous footballer from Sierra Leone. He is currently playing for I-League club Viva Kerala FC-Personal life:...
and 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year
FIFA World Player of the Year
The FIFA World Player of the Year was an association football award given annually to the male and female player who were thought to be the best in the world, based on votes by coaches and captains of international teams...
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro, Ufficiale OMRI is a former Italian footballer considered one of the greatest defenders of all time and was given the name "Muro di Berlino" which means The Berlin wall by Italian supporters. He spent the majority of his career in Italy...
. In 2011, David Trezeguet
David Trézéguet
David Sergio Trezeguet is a World Cup winning French international footballer who currently is a free agent after being released by Baniyas SC on 21 Nov 2011....
and Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
joined as player and coach respectively.
Cup
No fewer than six knockout cup competitions have been competed for in the UAE, although only three of these remain in existence. The Emir Cup, now called the UAE President's Cup began at the same time as the league and has been established as an annual contest since 1978-79. More recent additions to the calendar have been the Etisalat Emirates CupEtisalat Emirates Cup
The UAE Etisalat Emirates Cup, commonly known as the Etisalat Cup, is a knockout tournament of the United Arab Emirates football.The first edition of the tournament was played in the 2008-2009 season.-Winners and Results:*2009: Al Ain 1 - 0 Al Wahda...
and the UAE Super Cup
UAE Super Cup
The UAE Super Cup, commonly known as the Etisalat Super Cup, is the curtain raiser of the of the United Arab Emirates football season. It is played between the previous season's Pro-League winners and President's Cup Winners. The first edition has been played on 14 September 2008.-Winners:-Titles...
, a one-off match between the league winners and the President's Cup winners. The major defunct competitions are the Federation Cup
Federation Cup (United Arab Emirates)
The Federation Cup is a United Arab Emirates football tournament for UAE Football League teams....
, an irregular competition, the UAE Vice Presidents Cup
UAE Vice Presidents Cup
The UAE Vice Presidents Cup was played between 2004 and 2007. There have so far been 3 editions played- Winners :* 2004/05 : Al-Ain 1-1 Al-Ahli '* 2005/06 : Al-Ain 4-1 Al-Wahda* 2006/07 : Al-Jazira Club 4-1 Al-Ahli...
and the UAE FA Cup
UAE FA Cup
The FA Cup was a United Arab Emirates football tournament for UAE Football League teams played for five seasons between 1992–94 and 1999-00. Each edition featured two groups and played on a leg basis similar to the Etisalat Emirates Cup which appeared to take over from the competition in 2008....
.
International
The United Arab Emirates national football teamUnited Arab Emirates national football team
The United Arab Emirates national football team represents United Arab Emirates in association football and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the governing body for football in United Arab Emirates...
, nicknamed Al Abyad, made their first appearance in 1972 and since then have enjoyed both highs and lows.
AFC Asian Cup
Al Abyad first appeared at the AFC Asian CupAFC Asian Cup
The AFC Asian Cup is an international association football tournament run by the Asian Football Confederation . It is the second oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América. The winning team becomes the champion of Asia and automatically qualifies for the FIFA...
in 1980
1980 AFC Asian Cup
The 1980 AFC Asian Cup was the seventh edition of the Asian Nations Cup, the football championship of Asia . It was hosted by Kuwait between September 15 and 30. The field of ten teams was split into two groups of five. Kuwait won their first championship, beating Korea Republic in the final 3-0....
when they were eliminated in the first round. Two more first round exits followed before the team finished fourth in 1992
1992 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 1992 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan between October 29 and November 8. The host nation, Japan, defeated the defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final in Hiroshima.-Stadiums:...
. The UAE's finest hour in the competition came in 1996
1996 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 1996 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in the United Arab Emirates between December 4 and December 21. Saudi Arabia defeated host nation U.A.E. in the final match in Abu Dhabi.-Qualification:...
when, as hosts, they topped their group and then won games against Iraq
Iraq national football team
The Iraqi national football team represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association. They won the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournament.-The Golden Generation:...
and Kuwait
Kuwait national football team
The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
to set up a final against Saudi Arabia national football team
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. The match ended in a 0-0 draw but UAE lost on penalties.
The team have qualified for three of the four subsequent tournaments but have not advanced beyond in the first round in any of those appearances.
World Cup
The UAE have qualified for the FIFA World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
only once, appearing at the 1990 tournament
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
. They were placed into Group D alongside leading European teams West Germany and Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
as well as South Americans Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
. The team lost all three matches, 2-0 to Colombia, 5-1 to West Germany and 4-1 to Yugoslavia.
UAFA
UAE are also members of the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) and take part in their competitions. This avenue of competition had provided the UAE with its only international trophy to date as they hosted and won the 2007 Gulf Cup of Nations2007 Gulf Cup of Nations
The 2007 Arab Gulf Cup of Nations, the 18th edition, took place in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, from January 17, 2007 to January 30, 2007....
.
Other teams
Both the under-19sUnited Arab Emirates national under-20 football team
The United Arab Emirates national under-20 football team is the national football youth team of United Arab Emirates and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association.-FIFA U-20 World Cup:-AFC U-19 Championship record:...
and the Under-17s
United Arab Emirates national under-17 football team
The United Arab Emirates national under-17 football team represents United Arab Emirates in international under-17 football competitions and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association.-Under 17 Gulf Cup of Nations record:...
have been champions, the former winning the AFC tournament in 2008 and the latter the Gulf tournament in 2009. A women's team
United Arab Emirates women's national football team
The United Arab Emirates women's national football team is the female representative football team for the United Arab Emirates.-World Cup record:-AFC Women's Asian Cup record:-References:...
also competes.
Club football
The leading UAE club sides compete in the annual AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
. Al Ain became the sole UAE team to win the competition in the 2002-03 season, defeating Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
's BEC Tero Sasana
BEC Tero Sasana
BEC Tero Sasana Football Club is a Thailand professional football club based in Bangkok. The club finished runners-up in the inaugural AFC Champions League competition in 2003.-Club history:...
2-1 on aggregate in a twolegged final. The club reached the final again in 2005 but lost to Saudi club Ittihad FC.
The GCC Champions League, a tournament for the leading Arab clubs from states on the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, has been won by UAE clubs on four occasions - Al Shabab Al Arabi Club in 1992, Al Ain in 2001, Al Jazira Club in 2007 and Al Wasl FC
Al Wasl FC
Al Wasl Sports Club is a multi-sports club in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It is best known for its football team.-The Cheetahs:Being one of the most popular clubs in the UAE, AlWasl have had several nicknames. The most famous one being...
in 2010. As yet no UAE team has won the Arab Champions League
Arab Champions League
The Arab Champions League is a football tournament for clubs in the Arab world. It was inspired by the UEFA Champions League.The Arab Champions League was first known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, and established in 1982. In 2001, it merged with the Arab Cup Winners' Cup to form the new Prince...
, with Al-Arabi coming closest when they finished as runners-up to Al-Shabab Riyadh of Saudi Arabia in 2001.
Overseas investment
In August 2008 the Abu Dhabi United GroupAbu Dhabi United Group
The Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment is a United Arab Emirates private equity company owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family and Minister of Presidential Affairs for the UAE...
purchased the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Premier League club Manchester City, installing Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is a United Arab Emirati politician and member of ruling family of Abu Dhabi . He is the half brother of the current President of UAE, Emir of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan...
as owner and Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
H.E. Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak is an Emirati businessman.Educated in the United States, he entered a career in construction and real estate, becoming CEO of the Mubadala Development Company...
as chairman. With the wealth of the ruling family of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi behind them the club became effectively the richest in the world.