The United Arab Emirates national team, led by Zlatko Dalić, will play the final of the Gulf Cup against Saudi Arabia tonight at 8pm. The match is taking place at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, where thousands of UAE supporters are expected.
The UAE Football Association has decided to double the number of special flights for fans. The association had initially announced six special flights, but the seats were filled in less than ten minutes, so the association secured a total of 12 special flights. Applications will close as soon as all available seats are filled. The association is also covering the ticket costs for UAE fans.
Dalić's team reached the final without a defeat. In the group stage, they beat Yemen 4-0 and Bahrain 3-0, while drawing 1-1 with Qatar. In the semi-finals, the UAE defeated Oman 1-0, with Ousmane Camara scoring the only goal with a header from close range. Nicolas Gimenez failed to convert a penalty. The UAE thus secured their first Gulf Cup final since 2018.
Saudi Arabia qualified for the final with a win against Qatar. After 120 minutes, there were no goals, and the Saudis won 3-2 on penalties. The UAE has won the Gulf Cup in 2007 and 2013, while Saudi Arabia has three titles in this competition.
Dalić took over the UAE team after leaving the Croatian bench, where he led the team to silver at the 2018 World Cup, bronze four years later in Qatar, and second place in the Nations League. His long-term task in the Emirates is to build a team that will qualify for the 2030 World Cup. The UAE has so far appeared in the tournament only once, in 1990.
The Gulf Cup, officially the Arabian Gulf Cup, is a regional football competition for countries in the Persian Gulf. Launched in 1970, it now features eight member teams of the Gulf Football Union: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, and Yemen. It is played every two years. The UAE will attempt to win their third title on Tuesday, 6 October, against Saudi Arabia.
