ABSTRACT
In March 1972, just four months into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) existence, a team made of young Emiratis played a football match against Qatar at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. The UAE won with the only goal by Ahmed Chowbi. The game marked the first international representation of the UAE since its formation. The occasion spoke volumes to the newly formed nation and presented it with one of the most tangible signs of a state’s very existence: football. Once a mere pastime for the locals, football was now converted into a symbol of national identity and a vehicle for international image-building. This chapter provides a historical and sociopolitical account of football development in the UAE. In doing so, it argues that the UAE’s national identity was forged on a football pitch and ever since the game has consciously been employed to foster nationalism and patriotism.
