March 27, 2025 - The United Arab Emirates dismissed Portuguese coach Paulo Bento on Wednesday, just hours after his team kept their hopes of direct World Cup qualification alive with a dramatic victory over North Korea in Riyadh.
Sultan Adil netted deep into stoppage time, sealing a 2-1 win that narrowed the gap to second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A to four points. The UAE will face Uzbekistan in a crucial third-round qualifier on June 5.
With the top two teams from each of the three Asian groups securing automatic berths for the 2026 World Cup, Bento will not be at the helm for the remainder of the campaign.
“The UAE Football Association has decided to relieve head coach Paulo Bento and his coaching staff of their duties,” the UAEFA announced via social media on Wednesday.
Bento, who previously led Portugal to the Euro 2012 semi-finals and South Korea to the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup, had recorded 14 wins, six draws, and six defeats since assuming the UAE managerial role in July 2023.
Iran have already secured qualification from Group A, while the UAE are guaranteed a place in the fourth round of qualifiers should they fail to clinch an automatic spot following their matches against Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.