The United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) has announced the dismissal of head coach Paulo Bento, just hours after his side’s dramatic 2-1 win over North Korea kept alive their hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sultan Adil’s stoppage-time heroics in Riyadh reduced the gap to second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A to four points, setting up a pivotal clash between the two sides on June 5. However, Bento will not be on the touchline for what could be the defining moments of the UAE’s campaign.
In a statement shared on social media, the UAEFA confirmed, “The UAE Football Association has decided to dismiss the head coach of the national team, Paulo Bento, along with his coaching staff.”
Bento, a seasoned coach with a notable résumé, was appointed in July 2023 to succeed Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The 55-year-old had previously led Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 and guided South Korea to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup.
During his tenure with the UAE, he oversaw 14 wins, six draws, and six losses – a mixed record for a team with ambitions of reaching the expanded 48-team tournament.
Despite Tuesday’s crucial victory, the UAE’s path to automatic qualification remains precarious. With two games left in the third round of Asian qualifying, the UAE sits third in Group A, four points behind Uzbekistan. Only the top two teams from each group earn direct entry to the World Cup.
Even without Bento, the UAE still has a chance to secure a coveted spot in North America next year. The June 5 showdown against Uzbekistan on home soil is now a must-win fixture. Should they emerge victorious, the gap would narrow to just one point heading into the final round of matches.
Their last qualifier, a trip to Kyrgyzstan on June 10, offers hope, given the UAE’s dominant 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will close their campaign at home against Qatar, the only side to have beaten them in this stage of qualifying.
Failing to secure second place would see the UAE drop into the fourth round of qualifying, where teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will compete for the remaining two World Cup spots allocated to Asia.
