Dalic named UAE coach after leaving Croatia

Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic has been appointed coach of the UAE, the country's football association (UAEFA) said on Wednesday.

The 59-year-old left his role as Croatia coach in July after their World Cup campaign ended in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat by Portugal.

"Welcome, Zlatko Dalic. The UAE Football Association is pleased to announce the appointment of the Croatian as the new Head Coach of the UAE National Team," the UAEFA posted on X.

الكرواتي زلاتكو داليتش مدربًا لمنتخبنا الوطني الأول لكرة القدم 🇦🇪#منتخب_الإمارات

Welcome, Zlatko Dalić 🇦🇪

The UAE Football Association is pleased to announce the appointment of the Croatian as the new Head Coach of the UAE National Team #UAENT pic.twitter.com/EFLox63yAC

— UAEFA (@uaefa_ae) August 12, 2026

Dalic returns to the UAE, where he led Al Ain to the domestic league title in 2015.

During his nine years in charge of Croatia, Dalic guided the team to the 2018 World Cup final, a third-place finish in 2022 and the 2023 Nations League final.

The UAE will face South Korea, Vietnam and Yemen in Group E of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.