Al Ain and Al Jazira club to renew rivalry at President’s Cup final

A decade after their last meeting in the President's Cup Final, the UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has confirmed that Al Ain FC and Al Jazira Club will renew one of the country's greatest rivalries on Friday, May 22, 2026, with kick-off at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium set for 7.40pm and the UAE's most prestigious knockout trophy the prize.

Both sides earned their place in the final through hard-fought semi-final victories. Al Ain FC edged past second-tier side Dubai United in extra time, with Sofiane Rahimi scoring twice to send the Garden City outfit to the President's Cup Final for a record-extending 16th time - their first appearance since 2018.

Al Jazira Club produced a composed 1-0 victory over the competition's most decorated side, Shabab Al Ahli, to reach the final for the fifth time - their most recent appearance a decade ago ending in a memorable penalty shootout victory over Al Ain themselves.

The winner on May 22 will lift the UAE's oldest knockout trophy and earn direct qualification to the AFC Champions League Elite, Asian club football's most prestigious competition.

Mohammed Abdullah Hazam Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the UAE Football Association, said: "The President's Cup Final is the defining moment of the UAE football calendar, and this edition promises to be one of the most compelling in the competition's history. Two of the country's greatest clubs, separated by ten years since they last shared this stage, meeting again with everything at stake.

“But a Final is nothing without its fans and it is the supporters of Al Ain and Al Jazira who will truly make the difference on the night. We invite every fan to carry their team's colours to Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on May 22, because their passion, their chants and their presence are what transform a football match into a historic occasion.”

This year's final carries particular significance, taking place during the UAE's Year of Family - designated by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Under the slogan "Growing in Unity", the occasion invites fans, families and communities from across the country to come together around the sport they love.

For many, following Al Ain or Al Jazira Club is a tradition passed across generations - and on May 22, those generations will share the same stands, the same atmosphere and the same moment. The stands are waiting. Carry your colours, bring your family, and come and be part of history.