Goal Programme - United Arab Emirates Football Association - 2003

Football is not the overriding sport in the UAE as it has to share the limelight with horse and camel racing and falconry. But the UAE still make their mark on many final competitions in various age categories with impressive results, such as runners-up in the Asian Cup on home ground in 1996. The UAE played in the FIFA World Cup? in Italy in 1990 and the Olympic Football Tournament in Seoul in 1988. Their first division was established in 1974. The clubs, Al-Ahly and Al-Ain, are usually to be found near the top of the table at the end of the season.

On 21 March 2007, the Goal Bureau approved the construction of two floodlit natural turf pitches and a futsal hall. This constitutes Goal and the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme's contribution to a major project in Dubai, which the association is funding itself with support from the city authorities. The association's headquarters, a clubhouse and a building with overnight accommodation for players will be built at an impressive location, providing national team members with optimum training conditions.