Yahya Alghassani Emerges as UAE Football’s New Face, Champions Youth Development

At 27, Yahya Alghassani is stepping into the role once held by Omar Abdulrahman, the golden boy of Emirati football during the 2010s, who retired in November at the age of 34 after a career plagued by injuries. Alghassani is now emerging as the new face of the UAE national team, combining on-field leadership with a strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

The Shabab Al-Ahli star recently captained the UAE in two matches at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar and has been steadily establishing himself as a senior player in a squad that includes several naturalized foreign stars.

Beyond his national team duties, Alghassani has taken initiatives to support young players. In December, he hosted a youth tournament, the Talent Cup, at Dubai Police Club Stadium to encourage more youngsters to pursue football professionally.

“When I was young we used to get a lot of opportunities to show off our talents,” Alghassani said. “But as the years went by, these opportunities decreased. There should be someone to help them display their skills. These kids need outlets for their energy, so instead of wasting it in the wrong places, they could release it via football.”

Alghassani has collaborated with local and international scouts to ensure the most talented youth players receive exposure, and he has partnered with organizations including the Al-Jalila Foundation, Dubai Sports Council, and private sponsors such as Red Bull, Whoop, and Nike to provide resources and training.

Reflecting on his own development, Alghassani said, “I used to train at Al-Furjan before joining Al-Ahli. Progress wasn’t easy, but there were opportunities to show your talent. We are trying to bring this back for the community.” He also credits his brothers and childhood heroes, Ali Mabkhout and Omar Abdulrahman, for inspiring his journey.

Alghassani has already achieved significant milestones in his professional career. After beginning at Al-Ahli’s youth team, he joined Al-Wahda in 2018 before returning to Shabab Al-Ahli in 2021. His international debut came a year later, and he has since embraced the pressures of national representation.

“You can’t describe the feeling of being in the national team,” he said. “Nothing else you do can compare to it, to represent your country and have all your people supporting you.” In the absence of goalkeeper Khalid Eissa, Alghassani captained the team, providing last-minute instructions before kick-off and emphasizing teamwork.

While the UAE shared third place at the Arab Cup following a weather-abandoned play-off against Saudi Arabia, Alghassani’s focus is on future competitions. “We will now focus on the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. This is our sole focus now,” he said.

He also remains open to opportunities abroad, adding, “It is always in my mind. I welcome any idea, but I have to respect my contract with Shabab Al-Ahli. If they support a move abroad for me, I will go, why not. This is the dream of every professional player.”

Alghassani’s emergence signals a new era for Emirati football, combining leadership, community engagement, and a dedication to inspiring the next generation.