UAE FA launches campaign to rally fans around team for 2018 World Cup qualifiers

The governing body, led by FA president Marwan bin Ghalita, has introduced #Together_We_Can, a social media campaign that encourages the use of the hashtag designed to unite the country behind Mahdi Ali’s team, writes John McAuley.

The UAE football team are preparing for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. Courtesy UAE FA

The UAE Football Association has launched an initiative to encourage football fans in the Emirates to support the national team in their quest to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The governing body, led by FA president Marwan bin Ghalita, has introduced #Together_We_Can, a social media campaign that encourages the use of the hashtag designed to unite the country behind Mahdi Ali’s team.

The UAE, currently at a training camp in Dubai, open the third and final qualifying stage for the 2018 World Cup on September 1 when they face continental giants Japan in Saitama. They then host reigning Asian Cup champions Australia in Abu Dhabi five days later, before fixtures against Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

The FA hope the new social media initiative will generate interest in the national team and thus help push the UAE to only their second appearance at a World Cup.

“I am confident the UAE squad realise the importance of this stage,” Bin Ghalita said. “Everyone in the nation is obliged to support these heroes on their mission.

“The hashtag #Together_We_Can has been created to help them. This is more than an initiative or invitation, as it will let our institutions stand alongside the national team.”

Each country plays each other twice in Group B, with the top two guaranteed a place in Russia in two years’ time. However, the third-placed team from both Group A and B will meet to advance to an inter-confederation play-off. The UAE qualified for the World Cup, for the only time in their history, in 1990.

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