AFC U23 Asian Cup
UAE have yet to go past the quarter-final stage and that will be the first target for this new generation of talent.
Factfile
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: Q-finals (2013, 2016, 2020)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: 4th best runners-up (Group I)
Group B fixtures: v Qatar (Jan 7), v Japan (Jan 10), v Syria (Jan 13)
Fun fact: The only edition in which UAE did not qualify for the Finals was in 2018.
UAE qualified for the Finals as one of the four best runners-up after finishing second in Group I behind Islamic Republic of Iran.
The 13-0 win against Guam in their final group match ultimately proved to be the difference with their superior goal difference seeing them advance instead of India.
Head coach Marcelo Broli had ideal preparation for his UAE side with participation in the Arab Cup Under 23 Championship 2025 where the Italian was able to assess his squad in matches against Oman, Iraq and Yemen.
The squad was also exposed to friendly matches against Singapore and Tunisia during a November training camp.
Forward Mansoor Almenhali, who is currently on loan at FC Baniyas from Al Wahda FC, is one to look out for in the plethora of attacking options available to Broli.
Kicking off their campaign against Qatar on January 7, there will be no easy games for UAE in Group B with matches against Japan and Syria to follow.
