Zlatko Dalic has been appointed head coach of the UAE national football team, with the 2030 World Cup stated as his primary objective. The UAE Football Association confirmed the appointment after the Croatian ended nearly nine years as Croatia’s national team coach in summer 2026.
The UAE missed the 2026 World Cup after losing the Asian play-off to Iraq. The squad has not appeared at the tournament since their debut at Italia 1990, and the appointment of a coach with Dalic’s record signals the federation’s intent to end that absence.
Dalic’s contract runs to 2030, according to a graphic published by the UAE Football Association at the time of the unveiling, which carried the message: ‘Zlatko Dalić – until 2030 – official.’
A coach who knows the region
Dalic is not new to Gulf football. He managed Al Ain between 2014 and 2017, winning the UAE Pro League title and finishing runner-up in the AFC Champions League. He also won trophies with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia before his return to Croatia’s national set-up.
His familiarity with the UAE appears to have been a factor in his decision to take the role.
‘I am happy to be returning to the UAE after ten years. I spent great years here and have wonderful memories. I consider the UAE my second home and I believe we can make a great story here,’ Dalic was quoted as saying by Vecernji List, one of Croatia’s largest newspapers.
On the appointment itself, he said: ‘I received many offers, but I chose the offer to be the coach of the UAE national team after I found out about the Football Association’s project. I didn’t choose the money. I want to do something big and try to realise the dream of qualifying for the World Cup.’
Zlatko Dalic’s UAE national team priorities
Dalic made his name by building Croatia into one of Europe’s most competitive sides through a system centred on midfield control. Under his guidance, Croatia reached the 2018 World Cup final, losing 4-2 to France, before claiming third place at the 2022 tournament in Qatar by eliminating Brazil in the quarterfinals. He left as Croatia’s longest-serving national coach after almost nine years in charge.
The UAE squad presents a different challenge, but Dalic said he believes the talent is available to work with.
‘My coaching staff and I will try to identify players capable of representing the national team. I believe in the quality of the players we have, in young and talented players, but also in experienced veterans,’ he said.
His immediate focus is on player identification and blending youth with experience ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign, which is due to begin next year.
Two tournaments before then will serve as early tests. The Arabian Gulf Cup runs from 23 September to 6 October, and the AFC Asian Cup 2027, which Saudi Arabia will host after winning the bid at the 33rd AFC Congress in February 2023, follows the year after. Both competitions will give Dalic his first competitive read of the squad.
‘We have other goals, like the Gulf Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup, but the 2030 World Cup is our main goal,’ he said.
World Cup qualifying for the 2030 tournament is scheduled to start next year, giving Dalic limited time to settle on his best side before the competitive stakes rise sharply.
