In a surprising move, Paulo Bento was dismissed as UAE national team coach.
This was just eight hours after a hard-fought 2-1 win over North Korea in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Timing Raises Questions
The decision was announced at 8 AM on Wednesday, raising eyebrows.
Especially with ample time remaining before the next qualifier against Uzbekistan on June 5.
Why Was Paulo Bento Sacked So Quickly ?
According to sources, the UAE Football Association was dissatisfied with Bento’s management style.
Despite providing him with all the resources for success.
This included introducing 12 top players from the domestic league into the squad, who were expected to strengthen the team.
However, Bento’s stubborn approach to selections backfired.
His lineup choices in the matches against Iran and North Korea exposed inconsistencies.
As he fielded a completely different squad against North Korea compared to the Iran match.
The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) hosted the “Bring Your Iftar to Us” initiative last night, organized by the Emirates Red Crescent. The Iftar banquet was held under the theme “Year of Community” and brought together people of different nationalities and… pic.twitter.com/6YcxLcpQpE
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) March 21, 2025
Urgent Action to Save UAE’s World Cup Hopes
A trusted source confirmed that Bento’s rigid tactical approach led the FA to conclude that he was not the right coach for the next phase.
With UAE still in contention for a World Cup spot—whether through direct qualification or the playoffs—the FA decided to act swiftly to rescue their chances.
As of now, the UAE Football Association has not announced a successor to Paulo Bento.
The association is likely in the process of evaluating potential candidates to fill the vacancy.
No specific individuals have been publicly linked to the position at this time.
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