Injury Strikes UAE: Arab Cup Hopes Hinge on Depth as Khaled Eisa Lands on the Bench
26 November 2025
Injury and Selection Update
In a fresh setback ahead of the Arab Cup, the United Arab Emirates goalkeeper Khaled Eisa of Al Ain sustained a hamstring injury during the Week 8 clash between Al Ain and Al Jazira. The club announced that the keeper will begin a rehabilitation program before returning to training, and they wished him a swift recovery. Separately, the national team confirmed Eisa will be unavailable for selection as they prepare for the tournament in Doha.
With Eisa out, the UAE administration quickly turned to options to guard the goal. Adil Al-Hosani was named the third-choice keeper in the squad, joining Ali Khaseif of Al Jazira and Hamd Al-Moqbali of Shabab Al-Ahli in the goalkeeping department. The decision maintains a tested trio while the medical staff map out a safe return for Eisa.
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Arab Cup Camp and Roster Details
The UAE summoned a 23-man squad for the Arab Cup under the watch of Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu, assembling a balance of domestic-based talent and experienced national players in Dubai. Sharjah provided the largest contingent with seven players: Adil Al-Hosani, Khalid Al-Thunhani, Marco Milone, Majed Rashid, Luán Pereira, Kai Lucas, and Harb Abdullah. Four players come from Shabab Al-Ahli and Al Wahda each, with the former including Hamd Al-Moqbali, Yahya Al-Ghasani, Sultan Adel, Mohammed Jumaa Al-Mansouri, and the latter including Lucas Pimenta, Alaa Zohair, Robin Philip, and Sasha.
From Al Ain, two call-ups were named: Kwame Kwado and Yahya Nader. Al Wasl contributed Nicolas Jimenez and Ali Saleh, while Ajman supplied Issam Fayez. The roster mix emphasizes depth in goalkeeping and a spine of players experienced in regional competition, reflecting the domestic league’s strength as the country prepares for the tournament in Qatar.
The team is set to travel to Qatar the day after tomorrow to continue training in Doha as they prepare for Group C, which includes Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait. Olaroiu will oversee the camp in Dubai before the squad’s departure, with the aim of building cohesion ahead of the Arab Cup kickoff.
Arab Cup History and UAE Outlook
Historically, the UAE played its first official match in 1972, facing Qatar and securing a 1-0 win. The side has appeared at the World Cup once (1990 in Italy) and has enjoyed success in regional competition, including Gulf Cup titles in 2007 and 2013. In the Arab Cup, the UAE’s best finish to date was fourth place in 1998, with their most recent campaign in 2021 ending in a run to the quarterfinals. The 2025 Arab Cup represents a new opportunity to build on a storied, if occasionally uneven, continental journey.
The 2025 edition in Qatar will feature a packed group stage, with the UAE aiming to use this platform to sharpen their World Cup hopes for 2026. As always, the roster depth and tactical flexibility will be tested, and the injury setback to Eisa will force additional responsibility on the rest of the squad.
The UAE’s Path Forward
With a spirited mix of veterans and emerging talents, the Whites will be counting on their depth to push through Group C and onto the knockouts. The Arab Cup serves as both a competitive platform and a proving ground for the national team ahead of broader qualifiers and potential World Cup bids. The backdrop of Doha’s venues and Qatar’s hosting duties adds an extra layer of prestige and pressure to every training session and friendly in the run-up to kickoff.
Punchline 1: If injuries were a goal, UAE would be in extra time by now. Punchline 2: When life gives you hamstrings, make a midfield halo—because depth is the real goalkeeper here.
