The UAE squad headed to the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™ on the back of a crushing disappointment. A heartbreaking defeat to Iraq in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Asian qualification play-off – just two weeks prior to the regional tournament – ended their hopes of reaching the global showpiece.
The Emiratis, then, set out on their Arab Cup campaign hungry to get back on track. Despite a shaky 2-1 defeat to Jordan in their opening game, a draw against Egypt allowed UAE to keep their hopes of progression alive going into their final Group C match against Kuwait. They duly recorded a comprehensive 3-1 win to book their place in the knockout phase.
“Things have been very tough for us recently, following our failure to qualify for the World Cup,” attacking midfielder Nicolas Gimenez told FIFA. “Our primary objective is to perform well and reach the final.”
Despite playing in Stadium 974 packed with Kuwaiti supporters, UAE took an early lead through a double from Yahya Al Ghassani in the space of three minutes. When their opponents reduced the deficit in the second half with just ten men, Gimenez stepped up and capitalised on some sloppy defending to unleash a thunderbolt into the Kuwaiti net. The Al-Wasl player’s first international goal, coupled with Jordan’s 3-0 victory over Egypt, sent his team through to the quarter-finals.
“I’m so happy to win this match because we deserved it,” added Gimenez, who previously spent time with CA Talleres in Argentina. “We had our chance to qualify [for the World Cup], but luck wasn’t really on our side. Now we’re out of the running, so we have to focus on this competition. It’s a three-day turnaround, so the most important thing now is to recover for the next game.”
Joining them in the knockout stage of the Arab Cup are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq and their upcoming opponents, Algeria, all of whom have already secured their tickets to the North American showpiece.
While the regional competition may not wash away any lingering regrets, the smiles on the players’ faces after securing their place in the quarter-finals suggest that the Arab Cup is the perfect remedy to heal their wounds.
“It definitely makes you feel better,” said Gimenez. “It’s not the World Cup, but it’s still very important for us.”
