The UAE national football team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Iraq in the second leg of the playoff match. Sports experts state that the primary reason for the failure was technical, for which the head coach, Romanian Ulie Cosmin, bears direct responsibility. They argue that despite the team putting in one of its best performances, it could not translate its strong showing into a positive result. The experts emphasize that the problem is primarily technical: the coach failed to find the right tactical setup and a stable formation, and could not fix recurring defensive errors. Players, such as Yahya Nadar, made crucial mistakes that led to the loss. Analyst Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadi also pointed out that the team's exit was effectively sealed after missing the chance for direct qualification in the group stage, and then squandered another opportunity in the Asian playoff. He cited the absence of experienced players, repeated defensive errors, and a lack of consistency in the lineup as key reasons.
