UAE football – a complete guide to the clubs of the Arabian Gulf League
The Arabian Gulf League is one of the most popular football leagues in the Arab World. With 14 participating clubs, the tournament has built a strong, loyal fan base, and the players’ on-field performances also reflect significant progress. All UAE football teams taking part in the Arabian Gulf League have combined emerging local talent with talented international footballers.
TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL CLUBS OF THE ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE
Following the English Premier League model, the Arabian Gulf League separated itself from the UAE FA a couple of years ago to become an independent body serving the needs of the participating top-flight UAE football teams. The idea was to promote the 14 clubs and make the league more attractive for fans, players, coaches and sponsors. You can expect a positive impact on the UAE national football team as the league continues to get stronger.
Next up is an overview of the top 14 clubs in the UAE football pyramid, all battling it out for the prestigious Arabian Gulf League title.
AJMAN
As the name suggests, Ajman Football Club is based in the country’s smallest emirate, and their home ground is the 5,100-seater Rashid bin Saeed Stadium. Also known as the Orange Brigade, the club has achieved several accolades over the years, including the UAE President Cup in 1983-1984, UAE Vice President Cup in 2010, UAE League Cup in 2013 and the UAE First Division League in 2016-2017.
The first team squad primarily consists of Emirati footballers. However, there are some foreign players from Nigeria, Mali, Morocco, Oman, Mali and Brazil. The team composition is quite similar to other top-flight UAE football teams.
AL AIN
Al Ain Football Club plays their home matches at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium that can accommodate over 23,000 passionate fans at any given time. As one of the most successful UAE football clubs, Al Ain’s storied history includes winning the Arabian Gulf League 13 times, the Arabian Gulf Super Cup four times and the Arabian Gulf Cup once. So, it is fair to say that fans of Al Ain have been rewarded handsomely for their support.
Under the guidance of their Portuguese Manager Pedro Da Silva, the team hopes to add more titles to their long list of successes.
AL DHAFRA
Established in 2000, Al Dhafra Football Club has made steady progress in the UAE football pyramid. They play their home matches at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium, which can host over five thousand fans. Their squad is an excellent mix of Emirate, European and African talents, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the club climbs up the league table in the years to come.
AL JAZIRA
At the time of writing, Al Jazira sits at the top of the league. But it is only a solitary point ahead of Bani Yas; so, you can expect the 2020/21 Arabian Gulf League title race to go down to the wire. The club’s home ground, the 36,000 seater Mohammad bin Zayed Stadium is used to hosting high-profile crunch matches. However, Al Jazira’s supporters have had to celebrate their team’s recent successes away from the stadium because of pandemic-related restrictions.
Al Jazira is one of the most historic clubs in the UAE football, with even the legendary Liberian footballer George Weah having donned their colours. The club has won the Gulf Club Championship four times, the UAE President’s Cup and Etisalat Emirates Cup once each respectively, and the UAE Federation Cup twice.
AL NASR
Al Nasr is one of the oldest UAE football teams, having been established in 1945. They play their home matches at the 15000-seater Al Maktoum Stadium. Having won the Arabian Gulf League twice in the past, the club will be hoping to compete for the title in upcoming seasons. The club’s strong squad features Emirati, Brazilian, French, Portuguese, Algerian and Nigerian players working under the manager, Ramon Angel Diaz.
Al Maktoum Stadium is considered to be among the best stadiums in Dubai.
AL WAHDA
The Abu Dhabi-based Al Wahda play their football at Al Nahyan Stadium. Established in 1966, this is another historical UAE football team with four Arabian Gulf League titles, two President Cups, four UAE Super Cup, three Federation Cup and two Arabian Gulf Cup titles to their credit. In recent years, the club has slid down the table somewhat with their last title coming in 2010. Manager Abdul Salam Jumaa has his work cut out trying to match the former glories of the club.
AL WASL
Playing in their famous yellow kits, Al Wasl is counted among the most popular UAE football teams. Their home ground is Zabeel Stadium, with a capacity of over 8,000 people. The club holds the record of being the only team to participate in all league championships since 1974. They have bagged seven League Titles, two President’s Cups, one Federation Cup, and a maiden GCC Champions League since their inception.
BANI YAS
Another Abu Dhabi-based club, Bani Yas, plays their home matches at a stadium with the same name. Bani Yas Stadium has a capacity of just under 7,000, and if there was no pandemic, we might have seen large crowds as Bani Yas are 2nd in the league and right in the mix of things for the title. For a club that faced relegation as recently as 2009, this is a massive improvement. Supporters will be hoping that the team can leapfrog league leaders Al Jazira.
FUJAIRAH
Fujairah is next on our list of UAE football teams competing at the top level. Their home stadium, also named after the emirate, has a capacity of 10,000 spectators. The current 2020/21 season has been a tough one, with the club languishing near the bottom of the table. However, fans hope for an upturn in fortunes under the guidance of Serbian manager Goran Tufegdzic.
HATTA
Hatta, unfortunately, is seated at the bottom of the table at the time of writing. As they try to push ahead from their perilous position, the team is certainly missing their 5,000 fans cheering and chanting at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium. Team manager Vladimir Vermezovic is working hard with their experienced but misfiring front line in the hope of sourcing some much-needed attacking potency.
ITTIHAD KALBA
Ittihad Kalba’s home venue is the Ittihad Kalba Stadium, which has a capacity of over 7,700. The club is coached by Uruguayan Jorge Echeverrito and has a well-balanced squad featuring players from Italy, Brazil, Egypt, Netherlands, Switzerland, Nigeria and Germany. Currently mid-table, fans of the club will want to see them make a push up the table in coming seasons.
KHORFAKKAN
Khorfakkan’s green kit is immensely popular among their fans. Against the backdrop of their impressive Saqr bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium, with over 6,000 fans cheering them, it is quite a spectacle. The club has a rich legacy of winning trophies, with the first one coming in 1982 and the latest in 2019.
SHABAB AL AHLI
Shabab Al Ahli probably is one of the most well-known UAE football teams worldwide. They made huge ripples globally after signing the World Cup-winning Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro in 2009. The current UAE football team captain Walid Abbas also represents the club. Shabab Al Ahli FC plays their home matches at the Rashid Stadium and has won 11 league titles in their history.
It is among the most popular football clubs in Dubai.
SHARJAH
Last on our list of UAE football teams at the top level is Sharjah. Managed by Abdelaziz Alyassi, the club has a talented roster and plays home matches at the 12,000 seater stadium, also named after the emirate. Currently ranked fourth in the table, the club fans will be hoping for a late surge and a strong finish to the season.
FAQS
CAN FANS VISIT STADIUMS TO WATCH THE MATCHES?
No, currently all matches are being played behind closed doors. However, with the vaccine drive continuing at pace in the UAE, the hope is that fans will be back in stadiums sooner rather than later.
WHERE CAN I BUY TICKETS?
You can buy tickets online from the official Arabian Gulf website.
WHERE CAN I PLAY FOOTBALL IN THE UAE?
Football pitches are available across the UAE. For example, you can hire football pitches in Dubai to play friendly matches with friends. Furthermore, kids can also enrol in football academies in Dubai and the other emirates. If you’re a football fan, don’t forget to check out the Barcelona Experience in Dubai.
That wraps up our look at the UAE football teams participating in the Arabian Gulf League. All league matches are fairly competitive and excitement is guaranteed. With the fans expected to return to the stadiums gradually, next season is expected to be more thrilling than ever. All the big teams are constantly vying to bag at least one of the top football tournaments in the UAE.
To read about sports in the UAE, visit MyBayut.
