Paul Radley

2 weeks ago | thenationalnews.com | Paul Radley

Caio Canedo, the UAE forward, says the national team still believe they can qualify for the World Cup, even if the route to get there has now changed. A goalless draw with Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday night sent the Central Asian side directly to the finals in United States, Canada and Mexico next year. The UAE will instead face an extra phase of the qualifying process.

2 weeks ago | thenationalnews.com | Paul Radley

The clubs of the two players thrown out of the UAE team have backed the decision of the Football Association. The governing body announced on Sunday that Khalid Al Dhanhani and Sultan Adil have been fined and banned for misconduct on national team duty. The duo were hit with Dh500,000 fines and removed from the squad which travelled to Kyrgyzstan on Sunday evening for a World Cup qualifier. They will also have to serve five match bans from domestic football.

2 weeks ago | thenationalnews.com | Paul Radley

The UAE’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has plunged further into difficulty after two key players were thrown out of the squad and heavily fined for disciplinary issues. Khaled Al Dhanhani and Sultan Adil have been stood down from the squad travelling to Kyrgyzstan for Tuesday’s final match of the third round of Asian qualifying. They will also be banned from domestic football for five matches for an unspecified “violation” during the current international window.

3 weeks ago | thenationalnews.com | Paul Radley

The difference could not have been any more acute. While the emotions poured out of Uzbekistan’s players, officials, media and supporters in scenes of mass euphoria, the UAE were merely numb. Not disconsolate. Just flat. Just as their performance had been on a frustrating first night for new coach Cosmin Olaroiu. It is not over for the national team. But they would certainly have preferred to have been in their opposition’s boots on a peculiar night in Abu Dhabi.

3 weeks ago | thenationalnews.com | Paul Radley

The UAE’s torturous bid for 2026 World Cup qualification will extend to an additional round after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Uzbekistan in Abu Dhabi. The point was enough to guarantee the Uzbeks the second automatic qualifying place from this phase of the Asian competition, alongside Iran. It meant the side from central Asia will be heading to the World Cup for the first time in their history.