UAE Football Association sacks coach Olaroiu

The UAE Football Association (UAEFA) has parted ways with national team coach Cosmin Olaroiu and his coaching team.

In a statement, the association confirmed that Olaroiu's contract and those of his assistants had been ended.

The UAEFA thanked the coaching staff for their work with the national team and said a new coaching setup would be revealed in the near future.

Olaroiu took charge of the UAE national side in April 2025 after the departure of Paulo Bento. Before accepting the role, the Romanian coach had built a strong reputation in UAE club football, winning domestic league titles with Al Ain FC and Shabab Al Ahli Club. He also led Sharjah FC to victory in the AFC Champions League Two.

His primary objective was to revive the UAE's hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, draws against Uzbekistan national football team and Kyrgyzstan national football team left the UAE in third place in their qualifying group, forcing them into an additional qualifying stage alongside Oman national football team and Qatar national football team.

After defeating Oman 2-1, the UAE needed only a draw against Qatar to secure a place at the World Cup. Instead, they suffered a 2-1 loss in a controversial encounter, ending their hopes of automatic qualification and extending their wait for a first World Cup appearance since 1990.

The team was later given another opportunity through a playoff route, but a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Iraq national football team eliminated them from contention. Iraq subsequently overcame Bolivia national football team in the intercontinental playoff to book a place at the tournament.

Olaroiu's final competition in charge was the FIFA Arab Cup in December, where the UAE finished fourth after losing to the Saudi Arabia national football team in the third-place match.