In a surprising move, the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has dismissed head coach Paulo Bento just hours after his team’s dramatic 2-1 win over North Korea, which kept their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification alive. Despite Sultan Adil’s last-minute heroics in Riyadh, which cut the gap to Uzbekistan to just four points, Bento will not be at the helm for the decisive June 5 clash between the two sides.
The UAEFA confirmed the decision via social media, stating, “The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff.”
Bento, who was appointed in July 2023 after Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s departure, leaves behind a mixed record of 14 wins, six draws, and six losses. Despite the win over North Korea, the UAE’s qualification path remains uncertain, with only the top two teams in Group A earning direct entry to the 2026 World Cup.
The UAE is currently in third place, and the upcoming June 5 match against Uzbekistan is now a must-win for the national team. If victorious, the gap would narrow to just one point before their final qualifier against Kyrgyzstan on June 10. A failure to secure second place in Group A would force the UAE into the fourth round of qualification, where they would compete for one of the remaining World Cup spots in Asia.
Bento’s dismissal comes after several underwhelming performances, including the UAE’s disappointing Gulf Cup campaign earlier this year. Tactical decisions, such as the puzzling omission of Fabio Lima against Iran, further raised questions about his leadership.
As the UAE prepares for these crucial World Cup qualifiers without their former coach, the team now faces the challenge of rallying under new leadership and securing their second-ever World Cup appearance.
