The United Arab Emirates national football team was founded in 1971. The team joined FIFA in 1972 and affiliated to the Asian Football Confederation in 1974. The team plays its home matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Their world cup appearance in 1990 seemed to spur on the Emirates during the 1990’s, when they competed in local competitions. In the Asian Cup the team finished a record fourth place in 1992, then reached the final in 1996. In their home stadium, the Emirates held Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw. The game was finally decided on penalties, 4-2 to Saudi Arabia.

The team has been less successful since the turn of the millennium, often failing in the first round of tournaments. This rot halted in 2007 when the Emirates won the Gulf Cup of Nations.