UAE approves national team's schedule ahead of World Cup 2026

WAM

The UAE Football Association has approved the national team's schedule for September as they prepare for two Asian play-off matches for the 2026 World Cup.

The play-offs will take place from October 8 to 14, with the national team facing Oman and Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

The national team will also be holding a training camp in Dubai from August 25 to September 9, where they will play two friendly matches, the first against Syria on September 4, and the second against Bahrain on September 8. The matches will both be held at Zabeel Stadium in Al Wasl Club.

Matar Al Sahbani, a leading member of the national team's administrative management, confirmed that the upcoming training camp will be more beneficial, following the success of the first training camp in Austria last month.

He added that the local competitions will begin soon, and the players will play official matches with their clubs, which will aim to enhance their technical and physical readiness.

He also stressed the technical staff's keenness to monitor the performance of all players, including those who missed the Austria camp due to injury.

Al Sahbani explained that the selection of the Syrian and Bahraini teams for the upcoming friendly matches is due to the proximity to the level of the competitors in the Asian play-off.

More from Sports News

  • Manchester United out of League Cup in 50-year first

    Unhappy Manchester United fans have witnessed something unseen at Old Trafford in half a century on Wednesday as their side lost 3-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the third round of the League Cup after going two goals up.

  • Flick sets record as Barcelona breeze past Racing with Raphinha hat-trick

    Hansi Flick has become the first Barcelona manager to win the club’s opening seven competitive matches of a season as the LaLiga leaders thrashed Racing Santander 7-2 at Camp Nou on Wednesday to move three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

  • Abu Dhabi to host F1 sprint in 2027

    The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will host a Sprint race for the first time in 2027, organisers Ethara Live have confirmed following the release of the calendar.

  • India pick Kohli, Rohit for West Indies ODIs

    Stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma headline India's One-Day International squad for their upcoming home series against the West Indies, while Vipraj Nigam has replaced injured spinner Varun Chakaravarthy in the Asian Games squad.

Blogs