Cosmin Olaroiu takes UAE reins with World Cup dream in sight

Dubai: After years of domestic dominance, Cosmin Olaroiu has finally been handed the UAE national team job — and with it, the pressure of steering the country to its first World Cup in over three decades.

The UAE Football Association confirmed Olaroiu’s appointment on Saturday, with the Romanian coach signing a two-year deal to replace Paulo Bento, who was dismissed last month.

Currently managing Sharjah, Olaroiu has been one of the most successful coaches in UAE club football over the past decade. Yet, until now, he had never been entrusted with the national side. That changes at a critical juncture: the UAE sit third in Group A of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Only the top two teams from each group advance directly. With Iran having already sealed one of those spots, the UAE are four points behind second-placed Uzbekistan — their next opponents on June 5 in a must-win game in Dubai. Victory would close the gap to a single point with one round of matches remaining.

Olaroiu’s reputation for resilience could prove crucial. Just last week, his Sharjah side pulled off a dramatic injury-time comeback to eliminate Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun and reach the AFC Champions League Two final. The national team will need that same tenacity for their tough final fixture away to Kyrgyzstan on June 10 — the same day Uzbekistan host Qatar.

Despite Bento’s tenure showing flashes of promise — including notable wins over Qatar — inconsistent performances led to his exit.

Olaroiu’s managerial CV makes him an obvious successor. Since arriving in the Emirates in 2011, he has claimed 14 major honours, including four UAE Pro League titles — two with Al Ain and two with Al Ahli. Yet for all his club achievements, the national role had always eluded him.

Now, at 55, he finally has the opportunity — and responsibility — to turn club success into international history.