Back to news
UAE Sack Head Coach Paulo Bento Following FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Clash Against North Korea
@Source: news18.com
Paulo Bento has been fired as head coach of the United Arab Emirates football team just hours after a 2-1 win Tuesday over North Korea kept alive its slim automatic hopes of qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
That victory, which came with a goal in the 98th minute, puts the UAE four points behind second-place Uzbekistan in Group A with two games remaining. The top two teams from each of the three Asian groups are guaranteed a place in the tournament to be hosted next year by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff,” the UAE Football Association posted on social media.
The 55-year-old Portuguese coach led South Korea to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup, 10 years after he took Portugal to the last four of the European Championships. He was appointed in July 2023 to succeed Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
If the UAE misses out on second place, then there is another round of qualification as the teams that finish third and fourth in their respective groups play off for two remaining World Cup places.
UAE’s next qualifier is against Uzbekistan at home on June 5.
Related News
03 Jul, 2025
The West Claims to Champion the Persecut . . .
25 Mar, 2025
Brisbane Olympics 2032 LIVE updates: Que . . .
05 May, 2025
Hazel Irvine speaks out about interviewi . . .
27 Mar, 2025
NFL rumors: How competition committee fe . . .
10 Feb, 2025
January sales: Derry Journal Motoring wi . . .
06 May, 2025
IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav moves to seco . . .
16 Mar, 2025
Reese Witherspoon Reveals the One Lesson . . .
31 Mar, 2025
IPL 2025: RR skipper Riyan Parag penalis . . .