UAE sack coach Paulo Bento despite World Cup qualification hopes
The United Arab Emirates football association dismissed head coach Paulo Bento on Wednesday, despite the team staying in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff,” the federation announced.
Replacement to lead team in crucial qualifiers
A new coach will be appointed soon to take charge for the final two Group A qualifiers—against second-placed Uzbekistan on June 5 and Kyrgyzstan on June 10.
A win over Uzbekistan would revive UAE’s hopes of securing direct qualification, with the team currently sitting third in the group, four points behind the Uzbeks.
Iran, the group leaders, secured their place in the World Cup on Tuesday. The top two teams in each group qualify automatically, while the third- and fourth-placed teams enter an additional qualifying round.
Bento under fire after inconsistent results
Bento, 55, took charge in July 2023 but struggled to deliver consistent performances. The UAE’s 2-0 defeat to Iran in Tehran last Thursday, followed by a last-gasp 2-1 victory over North Korea on Tuesday, added to criticism of his tenure.
The former Portugal and South Korea coach’s departure comes as the UAE push for their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
(Source: AFP)
