UAE Football’s New Era: A United Dream for the Nation
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah! Since the tough journey for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers started nearly two years ago, there’s been a fresh breeze blowing through UAE football. Now, Alhamdulillah, the national team is just a couple of matches away from returning to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1990. The team today looks very different compared to the squad that went to Italia ’90.
Back then, legends like Adnan Al Talyani and Hassan Mohammed led the charge. Today, while Emirati stars like Khalid Essa and Abdullah Ramadan still play key roles, the team has welcomed new faces with international backgrounds, such as Fabio De Lima, Kouame Autonne, and Mackenzie Hunt.
The UAE will soon face crucial qualifying matches in Doha against Oman and Qatar. If we succeed, Insha’Allah, we’ll head to the World Cup next summer in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Of the eleven players who appeared in the recent friendly against Bahrain, seven were born outside the UAE. This shows how the team has evolved from earlier days. Interestingly, none of the 1990 players were born in the UAE either, but that’s because the country was only founded on December 2, 1971.
The Emirati community remains full of incredible football talent. And alongside them are players who came here as adults to play professionally in the UAE Pro League and stayed long enough to qualify for the national team through FIFA’s five-year residency rule. Many, like De Lima who has lived in Dubai since 2014, have made the UAE their home and proudly represent the nation.
Another exciting development is represented by players like Mackenzie Hunt, who grew up in Dubai attending international schools. This new generation of young Muslims, raised here and passionate about football, could be a game-changer.
Dubai’s population recently surpassed four million, up from around 500,000 in 1990, with many children attending international schools and dreaming of football glory. While their heroes might include global stars like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe, now they also see role models who once played on the same school fields.
Mackenzie, born in the UK but raised in Dubai, attended local international schools and football academies before moving back to the UK to join Everton. When the UAE called him to represent the national team, he enthusiastically accepted because he considers Dubai his home. This summer he transferred from Fleetwood Town in England to Baniyas Club in Abu Dhabi.
His former PE teacher, Lee Cuddihy, shares how many boys and girls now look up to Mackenzie’s journey. Lee’s own daughter, Lily, also plays for the UAE’s youth teams and has even trialed with Sunderland back in the UK. She feels proud to represent both England and the UAE, inspired by players like Mackenzie. As she trains hard and pursues her dreams, she shows how football can bridge cultures and inspire the younger generation.
UAE’s men’s team coach, Cosmin Olaroiu, emphasizes that there’s no distinction between local or international players - all are united under the Emirates flag. The country has welcomed them and given them opportunities they might not have had elsewhere, so it’s important for the players to give back with loyalty and dedication.
Insha’Allah, as this multicultural team continues to grow stronger, the UAE’s dream of uniting the nation through football will shine brighter than ever. May Allah bless the players, the fans, and the whole community in this exciting journey ahead.
https://www.thenationalnews.co