From Diego Maradona to Fabio Cannavaro - the UAE's World Cup connections

Some of the World Cup’s standouts through history have enjoyed an affiliation with UAE football at some point in their careers. Here, we highlight a select group who have had a sizeable impact on the game’s grandest stage.

Diego Maradona

World Cup-winning captain with Argentina in 1986, runner-up four years later, and manager of his national team in 2010, arguably the game’s greatest-ever exponent coached Al Wasl between 2011 and 2012. He then made a surprise appearance at second-division Fujairah, although lasting less than one year, from May 2017. Also employed as a Dubai Sports Council ambassador.

Fabio Cannavaro

Captained Italy to victory in 2006, when the Azzurri triumphed on penalties against France. The centre-back, who won that year’s Ballon d’Or - one of only three defenders in history to scoop the award - concluded his hugely successful club career at Al Ahli, joining the Dubai club following the 2010 World Cup. However, injury restricted him to a single season, although he did then become part of the coaching staff.

Mario Zagallo

One of only three man to have won the World Cup as both player and manager - Franz Beckenbauer and Didier Deschamps the others - the Brazilian was part of his country's wins in 1952 and 1962 as a tricky left winger. He returned to lead Brazil from the dugout to the 1970 crown, and was an assistant coach during the 1994 triumph. Before that last hurrah, he was in charge of the UAE from 1989 to 1990, overseeing their only qualification for a World Cup. He left before the finals in Italy, though.

Carlos Alberto Parreira

With the distinction of managing a joint-record five countries at the World Cup, the Brazilian guided his homeland to the title in 1994, where they defeated Italy on penalties in the final. Had by then already managed the UAE twice, including as a late replacement in 1990 following Zagallo’s shock departure. Also managed Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and South Africa at finals.

Carlos Parreira guided Brazil to the 1994 World Cup, with Mario Zagallo his assistant. AFP

Jorginho

The former Brazil full-back was a member of Parreira’s successful 1994 side, playing every match until his final was ended prematurely, by injury, 21 minutes in against Italy. He then went on to serve his national team as assistant manager between 2006-2010. Was appointed Al Wasl head coach in 2014 but lasted only four months in Dubai. His record there read six competitive matches, with a solitary victory.

David Trezeguet

The striker was part of the France squad that lifted the 1998 World Cup, where they defeated Brazil on home soil. However, his bit-part role in that ecstasy turned to a major hand in the agony of 2006, when he missed his penalty in the showpiece shootout against Italy. Signed for Baniyas in 2011, but left a few months and two league appearances later, citing injury.

Luca Toni

A late bloomer, the balky frontman was named in the team of the tournament in 2006 having helped Italy to their fourth World Cup crown, where he scored two goals in the quarter-final win against Ukraine. He would eventually sign for Al Nasr in early 2012 but made little impact. Although he scored five goals in 10 appearances, was released by the Dubai club five months into his stay.

Zlatko Dalic

One of the surprise stories of the past World Cup, the Croat guided his country to the final in 2018, only to lose 4-2 to France. His most recent appointment before that? Al Ain, where he spent almost three years from March 2014. There, he led the Garden City club to a league title, a President’s Cup crown, and to within one match of lifting a second Asian Champions League.

Bert van Marwijk

The last man to take the Netherlands to within a match of securing the game’s most coveted trophy, the Dutchman was at the helm when his country lost 1-0 to Spain in extra-time in the 2010 World Cup final. Would manage the UAE sometime later, in two stints: the first in 2019 and then latterly from 2020. Dismissed in February amid the UAE’s bid to reach the Qatar finals.

Asamoah Gyan

Africa’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, the Ghana international struck six times during three editions of the tournament from 2006 to 2014. Notched Ghana’s first World Cup goal, in 2006, while the circumstances surrounding his penalty miss against Uruguay in 2010 remain one of the most infamous in recent memory. Starred at Al Ain from 2011 to 2015, winning numerous titles, before a brief-but-disappointing spell at Al Ahli a year later.

Bruno Metsu

Hugely popular manager masterminded one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, when he led Senegal to a famous victory against holders France in the competition opener in 2002 – Senegal’s World Cup debut. Managed the UAE and Al Ain, guiding the former to the 2007 Gulf Cup crown and the latter to domestic and continental success, in 2003. Also coached Al Wasl, in 2012, before serious illness.

Brave CF 27 fight card

Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)

Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)

Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)

Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)

Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)

Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)

Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)

UAE currency

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Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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