The UAE will have their task cut out at the 10th Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai after they were placed in Group A alongside European powerhouses Portugal and Spain, and African champions Senegal.
In the other group, newly crowned world champions and three-time winners Russia meet Iran, Paraguay and Japan during the tournament at Kite Beach from November 2-6.
The eight teams discovered their groups for the annual event in the beach soccer calendar following the official draw at the Dubai Sports Council headquarters on Tuesday.
“We are really excited about the 10th edition of the competition, which was born here in Dubai in 2011 and has produced some of beach soccer’s most memorable moments since,” Saeed Hareb, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council, said.
“This year we will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of this hugely popular event. It is a special milestone, and the fact we will be celebrating this milestone at a time when Dubai is hosting Expo 2020 makes it even more memorable for us.
“The world is here, and the world’s best are here for Expo 2020. And early next month, the best from the world of beach soccer will be here as well to compete on the sands of one of the world’s most happening beaches, Kite Beach.”
The tournament is organised by Dubai Sports Council and Beach Soccer Worldwide in association with UAE Football Association.
Competition will be intense with three of the four semi-finalists from the recent 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – the two finalists Russia and Japan, and Senegal – in the fray.
Iran are back to defend their crown and also to renew their Dubai rivalry with Russia. These two teams, and their ardent fans, have been a constant feature on the tournament’s highlight reels over the years.
“So, there is plenty to look forward to,” Hareb added. “Like every year, UAE’s passionate beach soccer fans - and there are plenty of them here because the stands are almost always full - can expect five days of electrifying action and edge-of-the-seat entertainment.”
Joan Cusco, president of Beach Soccer Worldwide, believes the level of competition will be as good as the World Cup itself.
“Every team wants to come to Dubai and, to be honest, if we were to increase the number of teams from eight to 20, we would fill all the spots inside a week,” he said.
“Everybody wants to take part in this event and everybody wants to be in Dubai, especially this year when Expo 2020 is taking place here.”
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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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