The UAE National Minifootball Team is competing in the 2026 Asian Minifootball Nations Cup, taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 13 to 18 September 2026, with the team aiming to challenge for the Asian title and secure qualification for the WMF World Cup 2027 in the Czech Republic.
The UAE delegation departed from Dubai International Airport in the early hours of Friday, 11 September 2026, heading to the Indonesian capital in preparation for the continental tournament. The delegation is scheduled to return to the UAE on Saturday, 19 September, following the conclusion of the competition.
UAE Drawn in Group B
The UAE has been placed at the top of Group B of the 2026 Asian Minifootball Nations Cup, entering the group as its top-ranked team according to the World Minifootball Federation (WMF) ranking.
Group B features the UAE, Uzbekistan, Japan, Pakistan and Syria, setting up a competitive group stage for the national team.
Group A consists of Indonesia, Thailand, India, Iraq and Bangladesh.
The tournament represents an important opportunity for the UAE to compete for continental honours while pursuing qualification for the WMF World Cup 2027 and strengthening the country’s presence in international minifootball.
UAE Match Schedule
The UAE begins its campaign against Syria on Sunday, 13 September at 1:30 PM, followed by a match against Pakistan on Monday, 14 September at 1:30 PM.
The national team will then face Japan on Tuesday, 15 September at 3:00 PM, before completing its Group B fixtures against Uzbekistan on Wednesday, 16 September at 1:30 PM.
All match times are listed according to UAE time (GST).
| Date | Day | Match | UAE Time (GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 September 2026 | Sunday | 🇦🇪 UAE vs Syria 🇸🇾 | 1:30 PM |
| 14 September 2026 | Monday | 🇦🇪 UAE vs Pakistan 🇵🇰 | 1:30 PM |
| 15 September 2026 | Tuesday | 🇦🇪 UAE vs Japan 🇯🇵 | 3:00 PM |
| 16 September 2026 | Wednesday | 🇦🇪 UAE vs Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 | 1:30 PM |
UAE Aims for Asian Success and World Cup Qualification
The UAE enters the tournament with clear ambitions to deliver strong performances, progress through the competition and compete for the Asian title. With qualification for the WMF World Cup 2027 also at stake, every match represents an important step toward the team’s international objectives.
Participation in the tournament also provides an opportunity to further strengthen the development and visibility of minifootball in the UAE, gain valuable international experience and represent Emirati sport on the continental stage while promoting sportsmanship and fair play.
The UAE Sports for All Federation continues to support the national team and provide the necessary preparations for the players and technical staff as they seek to achieve another milestone for UAE sport.
Best wishes to the UAE National Minifootball Team in the 2026 Asian Nations Cup and in its pursuit of the Asian title and qualification for the WMF World Cup 2027.