All 27 teams in President's Cup soccer contest

The 25th President's Cup tournament begin next Wednesday with all 27 member clubs of the UAE Football Association taking part.

The 27 clubs are divided into four groups with A, B and C consisting of seven clubs, while group D have six clubs. Each group play a round robin league of three home games and three away.

The top four clubs of each group qualify for the pre-quarterfinals, which will be played on May 23 and 24, while the quarters will be held on May 27 and 28, the semifinals on May 30 and 31, and the final will be played on June 6.

Al Wahda, the current league champions and President's Cup defending champions, are in group B along with Sharjah, a record seven-time President's Cup winners, former champions Al Wasl and four second division clubs - Al Orouba, Al Rams, Deba Fujairah and Deba Al Hesn.

Al Wahda start their campaign with a match against Sharjah on May 29 at Sharjah stadium, while Al Orouba meet Al Wasl in Fujairah on the same day. In the other group B first week match, Deba Fujairah take on Deba Al Hesn on March 28.

Group A comprise Al Shabab, four-time winner, Al Nasr three-time winners, Emarat and three second division clubs - Ras Al Khaimah, Al Khaleej and Massafi. On March 28 Al Nasr face Ras Al Khaimah and Massafi tussle with Al Khaleej. On March 29 Al Shabab meet Al Arabi.

Group C include four-time winners Al Ahli, Al Shaab, former champions, Al Ittihad and three second division clubs - Ajman, Baniyas, Al Hamriya and Al Jazira Al Hamrra. In the first week matches, Al Ittihad vs Baniyas on March 28, Al Jazira Al Hamrra vs Al Shaab on March 29 and Al Ahli vs Ajman on March 30.

Teams in Group D are former champions Al Ain, Al Jazira, Ahli Fujairah and three second division clubs - Dubai Club, Al Zaid and Hatta. In the first week matches, Dubai meet Ahli Fujairah on April 4, while Al Jazira take on Al Ain and Al Zaid face Hatta on April 5.