Football association makes surprise decision after mixed results in Group A campaign
DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates Football Association has dismissed national team coach Paulo Bento and his technical staff, just days after a crucial 2-1 victory over North Korea in World Cup qualifying. The abrupt termination comes despite the win keeping UAE’s automatic qualification hopes alive for the 2026 tournament.
Bento, who took charge in July 2023, saw his position become untenable following inconsistent performances that included a 2-0 loss to Iran and a narrow last-gasp win against North Korea. The Portuguese manager’s departure was confirmed in an official statement Wednesday, with the association promising to name a successor soon to lead the team through their remaining Group A matches.
The UAE currently sit third in their qualifying group with 13 points from eight matches, four points behind second-placed Uzbekistan. The new coach will face immediate pressure in June’s decisive qualifiers against Uzbekistan (June 5) and Kyrgyzstan (June 10), where victories could still secure automatic passage to the World Cup.
While Bento’s tenure showed flashes of promise, including six wins from ten competitive matches, the federation ultimately deemed the team’s performances insufficient. The decision highlights the intense scrutiny facing managers in Asian football’s competitive qualifying landscape, where only the top two teams from each group advance directly to the 2026 World Cup.
