«Emirates Today» has learned that the Football Association has officially decided that the national team's coaching staff, led by Romanian coach Olaru Cosmin, will continue in his role. His contract is valid until 2027. This decision comes after speculation in sports circles about Cosmin's future following the team's elimination from the Asian playoff, which cost them a spot in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Cosmin's new task will be to lead the team at the upcoming Arab Cup, scheduled to take place in Doha from December 1st to 18th. The national team is expected to gather for a training camp in Dubai ahead of their trip to Doha. The team will play in Group C alongside Egypt, Jordan, and the winner of the match between Kuwait and Mauritania. Cosmin is expected to announce a new squad, likely to feature the same players from the recent qualifiers with minor changes due to the limited preparation time. The Football Association has finalized all arrangements for the team's participation in this event, aiming to present the best possible image and erase the negative impression from the recent qualifiers. The team's dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was dashed after the defeat to Iraq with a score of 2-1 in the second leg, after the first leg in Abu Dhabi ended in a 1-1 draw. Previously, coach Cosmin had stated in media comments that he prefers to lead the senior national team at the Arab Cup rather than the under-23 team. The 'Al-Abiyad' (the national team's nickname) will kick off their tournament campaign against Jordan on December 3rd, followed by a match against Egypt on December 6th.
