# Al Wahda FC

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Association football club in United Arab Emirates

This article is about the Emirati football club. For other clubs, see [Al-Wahda](/source/Al-Wahda_(disambiguation)).

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Football club

Al-Wahda FC نادي الوحدة لكرة القدم Full name Al-Wahda Football Club Nicknames The Clarets (الكلاريت) The Maroons (العنابي) Founded 1984; 42 years ago (1984) Ground Al Nahyan Stadium Capacity 15,894[1] Owner Diab Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairman Rashid Bin Diab Al Nahyan Head coach Hassan al Abdouli League UAE Pro League 2024–25 UAE Pro League, 3rd Website www.alwahda-sc.com Home colours Away colours Current season

**Al-Wahda Football Club** ([Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): نادي الوحدة لكرة القدم, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Arabic): *al-waḥda*, [lit.](/source/Literal_translation) 'Union') is an Emirati professional [football](/source/Association_football) club based in [Abu Dhabi](/source/Abu_Dhabi), that competes in the [UAE Pro League](/source/UAE_Pro_League).[2] The club was founded in 1984 and plays its home games at the [Al Nahyan Stadium](/source/Al_Nahyan_Stadium). The club's colours are maroon, navy blue and white.

## History

### Foundation

The first team created in [Abu Dhabi](/source/Abu_Dhabi) was Al-Ahli in 1966, followed respectively by Al-Ittihad in 1968, Al-Falah and Al-Wahda in 1969. In 1974, a decision was made by the Minister of youth and sport to create Abu Dhabi SC by merging Al-Ittihad and Al-Wahda on 13 March 1974, and to create Al-Emirates SC by merging Al-Ahli and Al-Falah on 3 June 1974. In 1984, Abu Dhabi SC and Al-Emirates SC merged to create Al-Wahda FC.

### Modern era

In [1999](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_UAE_Football_League), Al Wahda won their maiden UAE League title with 8 points ahead of their rivals [Al Ain](/source/Al_Ain_FC). In 2018, Al Wahda changed its official logo as part of a new club redesign.

## Honours

### Leagues

**[UAE Pro League](/source/UAE_Pro_League): 4**

- Champions: [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_UAE_Football_League), [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_UAE_Football_League), [2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_UAE_Football_League), [2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_UAE_Premier_League)

**[UAE Division One](/source/UAE_Division_One): 2**

- Champions: 1976–77, 1984–85

### Cups

**[UAE President's Cup](/source/UAE_President's_Cup): 2**

- Champions: 1999–2000, [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_UAE_President's_Cup)

**[UAE Federation Cup](/source/UAE_Federation_Cup): 3**

- Champions: 1986, 1995, 2001

**[UAE League Cup](/source/UAE_League_Cup): 4**

- Champions: 2015–16, 2017–18, [2023–24](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2023%E2%80%9324_UAE_League_Cup&action=edit&redlink=1), [2025–26](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2025%E2%80%9326_UAE_League_Cup&action=edit&redlink=1)

**[UAE Super Cup](/source/UAE_Super_Cup): 4**

- Champions: 2002, 2011, [2017](/source/2017_UAE_Super_Cup), [2018](/source/2018_UAE_Super_Cup)

### Regional

**[Qatar–UAE Challenge Cup](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Qatar%E2%80%93UAE_Challenge_Cup&action=edit&redlink=1):1**

- Champions: 2024–25

**[UAE–Qatar Challenge Shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UAE%E2%80%93Qatar_Challenge_Shield&action=edit&redlink=1):1**

- Champions: 2025–26

## Home stadium

An outer view of the [Al Nahyan Stadium](/source/Al_Nahyan_Stadium)

The [Al Nahyan Stadium](/source/Al_Nahyan_Stadium) is the home of Al Wahda.[3] Built in 1995 and renovated for the [2019 AFC Asian Cup](/source/2019_AFC_Asian_Cup), it seats 15,895 supporters. It lays beside [Al Wahda Mall](/source/Al_Wahda_Mall), on Ahmed Bin Khalaf Al Otaiba Street, and is hence located in the centre of the city of Abu Dhabi.

## Performance in AFC competitions

Al Wahda has been qualifying for Asian competitions since the late 90s. They have made multiple appearances in the [AFC Champions League](/source/AFC_Champions_League_Elite). Al Wahda FC made two appearances in the [Asian Cup Winners Cup](/source/Asian_Cup_Winners_Cup), in the [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Asian_Cup_Winners'_Cup) and the [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Asian_Cup_Winners'_Cup) seasons, reaching the first round on both occasions.

Al Wahda's season-by-season record in international competitions 1 Group stage. Highest-ranked eliminated team in case of qualification, lowest-ranked qualified team in case of elimination. Arab Club Champions Cup Season Preliminary stages Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final 2017 Al Ahly1 2023 Bourj ASFAR CR Belouizdad1 Al Shabab FIFA Club World Cup Season Preliminary stages Semi-finals / Fifth match Final / Third match 2010 Hekari United Seongnam Pachuca

Season AFC Champions League Asian Club Championship 1999–00 First round 2000-01 Did not qualify 2001–02 Group stage AFC Champions League 2002-03 Did not qualify 2004 Quarter-finals 2005 Did not qualify 2006 Group stage 2007 Semi-finals 2008 Group stage 2009 Did not qualify 2010 Round of 32 2011 Round of 32 2012 Did not qualify 2013 Did not qualify 2014 Did not qualify 2015 Play-offs 2016 Did not qualify 2017 Round of 32 2018 Round of 32 2019 Round of 16 2020 Withdrew 2021 Quarter-finals 2022 Did not qualify 2023-24 Did not qualify AFC Champions League Elite 2024–25 Did not qualify 2025–26 Qualified

## Players

### Current squad

*As of [UAE Pro-League](/source/UAE_Pro-League):*

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK UAE Mohamed Al-Shamsi 2 DF UAE Mansour Burghash 3 DF UAE Lucas Pimenta 5 DF UAE Ala Zhir 6 MF IRN Mohammad Ghorbani 7 FW UAE Caio Canedo 8 MF UAE Abdulaziz Mohammed 9 FW IRN Reza Ghandipour (on loan from Shabab Al Ahli) 10 MF SRB Dušan Tadić 11 FW ARG Facundo Kruspzky 12 MF UAE Abdulla Hamad 17 MF ARG Gerónimo Rivera 19 DF UAE Rúben Canedo 22 MF POR Bernardo Folha No. Pos. Nation Player 25 MF BRA Jadsom 26 GK UAE Hazaa Ammar 30 DF NGA Favour Ogbu 31 DF UAE Saša Ivković 32 DF POR Guga 35 FW BEL Christian Benteke 36 GK UAE Zayed Al-Hammadi 38 MF ESP Arnau Pradas 60 DF UAE Bader Nasser (on loan from Shabab Al Ahli) 64 DF UAE Rashed Issam 66 MF UAE Gastón Suárez 68 DF UAE Mohamed Ali 70 FW SYR Omar Khribin 94 MF MLI Brahima Diarra

### Reserve team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 13 DF UAE Hazaa Shehab 14 MF UAE Khamis Nasser 15 MF IRN Mobin Dehghan 16 GK SEN Prince Gueye 18 DF UAE Obaid Ahmed 21 DF UAE Khalid Al-Jabri No. Pos. Nation Player 24 MF JOR Abdulrahman Subhi 27 MF TUN Louay Trayi 29 GK UAE Dhiyab Mohammed 41 MF NIG Oumarou Diadje 80 FW YEM Abdulqader Al-Somhi 96 FW UAE Mayed Ahmed

### Unregistered players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 FW UAE Mansoor Al-Menhali

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — FW CMR Leonel Wamba (on loan to Baniyas)

## Coaching staff

Position Name Head Coach Darko Milanič Goalkeeper Coach Christopher Sales Abdullslam Jumaa Conditioning Coach Helder Fernandes Soares Chief Analyst Tiago Albuquerque Freire Club Doctor Waleed Al-Shikh Medical Therapist Ninad Martino Massage Therapist Božo Sinkovic Vladimir Harfman

## Managerial history

* Served as caretaker coach.

Name Nat. From To Ref. Helmy Toulan 1979 1984 Heshmat Mohajerani 1984 1986 Slobodan Halilović 1991 1992 Mahmoud El-Gohary 1995 1996 Jo Bonfrère 1998 1999 Ruud Krol 1999 1999 Dimitri Davidovic 1999 2000 Rinus Israël 2000 2001 Jo Bonfrère 2001 February 2002 Arie van der Zouwen* 2002 2002 [4][5][6] Cemşir Muratoğlu 2002 2003 Rolf Fringer 14 March 2003 30 June 2003 Rolland Courbis 1 July 2003 30 November 2003 Rinus Israël 1 December 2003 30 June 2004 Ahmad Abdel-Halim 2004 2005 Reiner Hollmann 1 July 2005 3 April 2006 Richard Tardy 2006 4 August 2006 Horst Köppel 5 August 2006 11 October 2006 [7] Jo Bonfrère 13 December 2007 10 December 2008 Josef Hickersberger 10 December 2008 1 June 2010 László Bölöni 29 May 2010 2 September 2010 [8] Tite 31 August 2010 19 October 2010 Josef Hickersberger 22 October 2010 30 June 2012 Branko Ivanković 20 May 2012 28 April 2013 Josef Hickersberger 28 April 2013 15 July 2013 Karel Jarolím 15 July 2013 9 November 2013 José Peseiro 11 November 2013 11 January 2015 Sami Al-Jaber 11 January 2015 19 May 2015 Javier Aguirre 18 June 2015 20 May 2017 [9] Laurențiu Reghecampf 3 July 2017 25 November 2018 Henk ten Cate 7 December 2018 26 May 2019 Maurice Steijn 9 June 2019 17 October 2019 Manuel Jiménez 17 October 2019 18 July 2020 [10] Mark Wotte 18 July 2020 8 September 2020 Vuk Rašović 8 September 2020 12 March 2021 [11] Henk ten Cate 13 March 2021 25 October 2021 Grégory Dufrennes 26 October 2021 3 June 2022 Carlos Carvalhal 1 July 2022 2 October 2022 [12] Manuel Jiménez 5 October 2022 12 March 2023 Arno Buitenweg* 13 March 2023 17 June 2023 Pitso Mosimane 18 June 2023 10 November 2023 [13] Arno Buitenweg* 10 November 2023 5 January 2024 Goran Tufegdžić 5 January 2024 5 July 2024 Ronny Deila 5 July 2024 18 December 2024 Darko Milanič 18 December 2024 20 June 2025 José Morais 20 June 2025 12 December 2025

## Pro-League record

Season Level No. of teams Position President's Cup League Cup 2008–09 1 12 4th Semi-Finals Runner-ups 2009–10 1 12 1st Semi-Finals Semi-Finals 2010–11 1 12 5th Runner-ups Semi-Finals 2011–12 1 12 6th Semi-Finals First Round 2012–13 1 14 7th Semi-Finals Semi-Finals 2013–14 1 14 2nd Quarter-Finals First Round 2014–15 1 14 4th Round of 16 First Round 2015–16 1 14 3rd Round of 16 Champions 2016–17 1 14 5th Champions First Round 2017–18 1 12 2nd Semi-Finals Champions 2018–19 1 14 3rd Round of 16 Runner-ups 2019–20a 1 14 5th Round of 16 Quarter-Finals 2020–21 1 14 7th Round of 16 First Round 2021–22 1 14 3rd Runner-ups Semi-Finals 2022–23 1 14 3rd Preliminary Round Quarter-Finals 2023–24 1 14 5th Round of 16 Champions

**Notes****[^](#ref_a)** 2019–20 UAE football season was cancelled due to the [COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates)

## See also

- [List of football clubs in the United Arab Emirates](/source/List_of_football_clubs_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["نبذة عن منشآت نادي الوحدة الرياضي"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150317194800/http://alwahda-fc.com/Wahda-Club/Facilities). Archived from [the original](http://www.alwahda-fc.com/Wahda-Club/Facilities) on 2015-03-17. Retrieved 2015-03-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Al Wahda FC (UAE): club profile, squad, fixtures and achieves](https://int.soccerway.com/teams/united-arab-emirates/al-wahda-fc-abu-dhabi/5494/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210430192318/https://int.soccerway.com/teams/united-arab-emirates/al-wahda-fc-abu-dhabi/5494/) 2021-04-30 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Soccerway.com*. Retrieved 16 April 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Al Wahda – Clubs – UAE Pro League Committee"](http://uae.agleague.ae/en/club/al-wahda.html). Al Wahda Club. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190401122010/http://uae.agleague.ae/en/club/al-wahda.html) from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-dongennieuws_4-0)** ["Arie van der Zouwen trainer Dongen"](https://dongen.nieuws.nl/sport/20110615/arie-van-der-zouwen-trainer-dongen/). *Nieuws.nl*. 15 June 2011. Verder werkte hij in het verleden als assistent onder Jo Bonfrère bij Al Wahda in de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten waar hij zelfs nog kortstondig hoofdtrainer was.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kandidaat_5-0)** Vervelde, Daniel (3 February 2021). ["Tholense Boys legt Arie van der Zouwen voor twee jaar vast: 'De gedroomde kandidaat'"](https://www.pzc.nl/zeeuws-voetbal/tholense-boys-legt-arie-van-der-zouwen-voor-twee-jaar-vast-de-gedroomde-kandidaat~a971f6d1/). *[Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant](/source/Provinciale_Zeeuwse_Courant)*. Retrieved 22 November 2025. Tholense Boys strikt met Van der Zouwen bovendien een trainer met ervaring in het buitenland. Hij was in het verleden bondscoach van Hongkong, assistent van Jo Bonfrère bij Al-Wahda in de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten en bij die club na het ontslag van Bonfrère ook interim-coach.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Bonfrère ontslagen bij Al Wahda"](https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/bonfrere-ontslagen-bij-al-wahda). *[Voetbal International](/source/Voetbal_International)* (in Dutch). 13 February 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2025. Bonfrères assistent Arie van der Zouwen is aangesteld als interim-coach. Binnen enkele weken hoopt Al Wahda een nieuwe coach te kunnen presenteren.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-alwahdajob_7-0)** ["Köppel wechselt in die VAE"](https://www.kicker.de/koeppel-wechselt-in-die-vae-353284/artikel). *kicker* (in German). 5 August 2006. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140518015525/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/intligen/startseite/353284/artikel_koeppel-wechselt-in-die-vae.html) from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Bölöni appointed as head coach of Al-Wahda](http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100524/SPORT/705239888/1004/foreign) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224139/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100524%2FSPORT%2F705239888%2F1004%2Fforeign) 6 June 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Cerezo, Hugo (18 June 2015). ["Javier Aguirre ficha por el Al Wahda"](http://www.marca.com/2015/06/18/futbol/futbol_internacional/1434631046.html). *[Marca](/source/Marca_(newspaper))* (in Spanish). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180805160418/http://www.marca.com/2015/06/18/futbol/futbol_internacional/1434631046.html) from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Jose, James (17 October 2019). ["Al Jazira, Al Wahda appoint new managers"](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/al-jazira-al-wahda-appoint-new-managers). *[Khaleej Times](/source/Khaleej_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210123085616/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/al-jazira-al-wahda-appoint-new-managers) from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Al Wahda set to name Vuk Rašović as new coach ahead of Asian Champions League resumption"](https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/al-wahda-set-to-name-vuk-rasovic-as-new-coach-ahead-of-asian-champions-league-resumption-1.1074081). thenational. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220703162530/https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/al-wahda-set-to-name-vuk-rasovic-as-new-coach-ahead-of-asian-champions-league-resumption-1.1074081) from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Carlos Carvalhal leaves Al Wahda"](https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carlos-carvalhals-path-hull-city-7659770). Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 5 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Mahlatse Mphahlele. ["Pitso Mosimane joins UAE side Al Wahda"](https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-06-18-pitso-mosimane-joins-uae-side-al-wahda/). *timeslive*. Retrieved 18 June 2023.

## External links

- [Official website](https://alwahda-sc.com/) (in Arabic)

- [Al Wahda FC](https://www.facebook.com/AlWahdaFCC) on [Facebook](/source/Facebook_(identifier))

v t e Al Wahda Football Club History Presidents Seasons International Statistics Current season Home stadiums Al Nahyan Stadium Rivalries Al Jazira Al Ain

v t e Al Wahda FC – current squad 1 Al-Shamsi 2 M. Saleh 3 Pimenta 5 A. Zhir 6 Ghorbani 7 Caio 8 Al-Balushi 9 Ghandipour 10 Tadić 11 Kruspzky 12 A. Hamad 13 H. Shehab 14 K. Nasser 15 Dehghan 16 Gueye 17 Rivera 19 Canedo 21 Al-Jabri 22 Folha 24 A. Subhi 25 Jadsom 26 H. Ammar 27 Trayi 29 Dhiyab M. 30 Ogbu 31 Ivković 32 Guga 35 Benteke 36 Al-Hammadi 38 Pradas 41 Diadje 56 Alo Ali 60 B. Nasser 64 R .Issam 66 Suárez 68 M. Ali 70 Kharbin 80 Al-Somhi 94 Diarra Manager: Milanič

v t e Football teams in UAE UAE Pro League Ajman Al Ain Al Dhafra Al Jazira Al Nasr Al-Sharjah Al Wahda Al Wasl Baniyas Hatta Kalba Khor Fakkan Shabab Al-Ahli United UAE First Division League Al Arabi Al Bataeh Al Dhaid Al-Fujairah Al Hamriyah Al Ittifaq Al Jazirah Al Hamra Al Orooba Dibba Dibba Al Hisn Dubai City Emirates Gulf United Majd Masfout UAE Second Division League Al-Fath AL-Ittihad Al Rams Arabian Falcons Baynounah Forte Virtus Fursan Hispania Gulf United B Legentus Madenat Palm City Precision Royal United B UAE Third Division League AFC Al Arabi B Al-Shahama Dragon City Dubai City B Emerald Falcon Forte Virtus B G-Reds Irish Liver Modern Sport Nova Star Olympic Rimal Al-Sahra TFC United Sport Other clubs Al Madam Al Taawon Elite Falcons Falaj Al Mualla Masafi Mleiha Ras Al Khaimah Defunct clubs Al Dar Al Falah Al Gharbia Al-Hazem Al Hilal Al Nujoom Al-Quwwat Al-Musallaha Al Rimal Al Shaab Al Shabab Al Wathba Atletico Arabia Dubai Fleetwood United Green Herons Inter City HPC Laval Liwa Quattro Regional Sport Support Sporting Sporty PE Sports TFA Zamalek

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Al Wahda FC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wahda_FC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wahda_FC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.