The United Arab Emirates national team has moved closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup — they only have 1990 on their résumé.
And they did so with more than decisive contributions from players born in Brazil.
Marcus Meloni and Caio Lucas secured the come-from-behind 2–1 win over Oman this Saturday (11).
The result counts for the second round of the Fourth Phase of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
🇦🇪 Caio Lucas decides to have the final say in this exhilarating encounter! #AsianQualifiers | #UAEvOMApic.twitter.com/RyCQS23fsr
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) October 11, 2025
The current phase brings together six national teams divided into two groups.
Only the group winner after round-robin play (two matches) goes directly to the World Cup.
The runners-up face off in a playoff to determine Asia’s representative in the intercontinental playoff.
The United Arab Emirates made their debut this Saturday and will now have the advantage of a draw against Qatar — who drew with Oman — next Tuesday (14).
The other group already has Indonesia — coached by Patrick Kluivert — eliminated after a 1–0 defeat to Iraq also this Saturday.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq have three points each and will decide the direct spot, with Saudi having the edge on goals scored.
Qataris and Saudis will play at home, as they are the hosts of their respective groups.
Iraq also has only one World Cup in its history, in 1986.
Unstoppable Zidane Iqbal. 🇮🇶 Iraq’s Hero Of The Day. Indonesia’s heartbreaker! #AsianQualifiers | #IRQvIDNpic.twitter.com/zwrAwrAq6u
— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) October 11, 2025
There are SEVERAL naturalized players
The United Arab Emirates took the field with a total of six players born in other countries.
Besides defender and midfielder Meloni, who came through Palmeiras’ youth ranks, and forward Caio Lucas, fellow midfielder Fábio Lima and center-back Lucas Pimenta were the other naturalized Brazilians who started.
Meanwhile, Caio Canedo, formerly of Botafogo and Internacional, came on in the second half. Bruno de Oliveira and Erik were still options on the bench.
📸 KARIM JAAFAR – AFP or licensors
The other “imported foreigners” who started: Portuguese full-back Rúben Amaral and Argentine midfielder Nicolás Giménez.
Caio Canedo has already surpassed the 50-cap mark for the United Arab Emirates. And Fábio Lima — who had stints at Vasco and Atlético-GO — has over 40.
The list of players born in other countries who have recently represented the national team also includes Brazilians Luanzinho, Lithierry, and Gustavo Alemão, for example.
They didn’t go far in their only World Cup
Their only World Cup appearance, in 1990 in Italy, ended without a win.
They fell into Group D, which also featured the future champions West Germany, Yugoslavia, and Colombia.
They were shut out by Higuita, Rincón, and Valderrama in a 2–0 loss, but managed to score a goal in defeats to Germany (5–1) and Yugoslavia (4–1).
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 KARIM JAAFAR – AFP or licensors
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