• Argentina's Lionel Messi trains at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, November 14, 2022. Argentina face the UAE in a friendly match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in the capital on Wednesday. All images by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Argentina's Lionel Messi trains at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, November 14, 2022. Argentina face the UAE in a friendly match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in the capital on Wednesday. All images by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Argentina's Angel Di Maria, right, enjoys a joke with teammate Leo Paredes at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina's Angel Di Maria, right, enjoys a joke with teammate Leo Paredes at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez during the training session in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez during the training session in Abu Dhabi.
  • The Argentina side train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    The Argentina side train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi in the dugout at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi in the dugout at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina defender Juan Foyth during training.
    Argentina defender Juan Foyth during training.
  • Argentina attacker Lionel Messi.
    Argentina attacker Lionel Messi.
  • Argentina attacker Julian Alvarez, who plays his club football for Manchester City
    Argentina attacker Julian Alvarez, who plays his club football for Manchester City
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi with teammates in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi with teammates in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina midfielder Leo Paredes.
    Argentina midfielder Leo Paredes.
  • Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
    Argentina midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
  • Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul training at Al Nahyan Stadium.
    Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul training at Al Nahyan Stadium.
  • The Argentina side train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    The Argentina side train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria.
    Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria.
  • Argentina attacker Lionel Messi training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina attacker Lionel Messi training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, left.
    Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, left.
  • Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina attacker Lionel Messi.
    Argentina attacker Lionel Messi.
  • Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
    Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
  • Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina fans at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina fans at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi with teammates at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi with teammates at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi at Al Nahyan Stadium.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi at Al Nahyan Stadium.
  • Argentina training in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina training in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina train at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi.
  • Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
    Argentina training at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
  • Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
    Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
  • Argentina's Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi.
    Argentina's Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi.
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi.
    Argentina's Lionel Messi.

World Cup

UAE v Argentina: Here's how you can still watch Lionel Messi in Abu Dhabi

Argentina ride a 35-match win streak heading into the match against UAE - their final match before they head to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

November 16, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Lionel Messi's Argentina face UAE in their final warm-up in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday before making the short trip to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Copa America champions Argentina ride a 35-match win streak heading into the match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, and are considered by many as favourites for the tournament in Qatar, which kicks-off on Sunday.

Tickets for the match sold out in less than 24 hours. But that doesn't mean you have to miss out on seeing Messi and Co in action.

What time is the match?

The friendly kicks off at 7.30pm at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Why is the match important?

The match provides Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni a final chance to cast an eye over his squad before they head to Qatar where they will bid to win a third World Cup.

The UAE failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 so manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena is instead preparing his team for January's Arabian Gulf Cup in Iraq. The national team, who on Sunday began a week-long camp in Abu Dhabi, face Kazakhstan in another friendly on Saturday.

How can I still watch Messi in action?

With the match sold out, the best option available is to watch the Paris Saint-Germain forward and his teammates on TV. In the UAE, the match will be broadcast live on Dubai Sports 1, Abu Dhabi Sports 1 and Sharjah Sports.

  • The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. Photos: UAE FA
    The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. Photos: UAE FA
  • The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
    The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
  • UAE players prepare for their upcoming friendly against Argentina.
    UAE players prepare for their upcoming friendly against Argentina.
  • UAE coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
    UAE coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
  • UAE players go through their warm-up.
    UAE players go through their warm-up.
  • The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
    The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
  • UAE players during the warm-up.
    UAE players during the warm-up.
  • The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
    The UAE national team trains in Abu Dhabi ahead of Wednesday's marquee friendly against Argentina at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
  • UAE players take part in training.
    UAE players take part in training.
THE%20SPECS
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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

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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FA Cup semi-finals

Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)

Matches on Bein Sports

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Astra%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdallah%20Abu%20Sheikh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20technology%20investment%20and%20development%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile of Tamatem

Date started: March 2013

Founder: Hussam Hammo

Based: Amman, Jordan

Employees: 55

Funding: $6m

Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media

Updated: November 16, 2022, 12:03 PM
Lionel MessiArgentinaUAEWorld Cup