How does the UAE Football system benefit young players?

By Jack Shiels - Head of Player Pathways

There's very specific rules in the UAE which many will tell you makes it 'hard for foreigners' to play here. 

Although this may be true in the top tier, the lower levels of professional, which many use as an entry point, are quite the opposite, and provide a HUGE opportunity for foreign players from around the world.

UAE Div 2 and 3 have almost no restrictions that would affect a young player trying to play in the UAE, and this includes visa restrictions. Essentially, if you can get a visa to enter the country, you can be eligible to play. 

Moving from the lower leagues to Div 1 and the Pro league is of course the more difficult challenge, however it is very possible. 

At Gulf United FC, because all of our teams (U21s, B team and First Team) are connected, any player who performs well in the U21s or B team can also be selected for the first team (without any need to change registration).