An expert's view on Al Ain | OneFootball

We speak to Steve Luckings of The National, an English-language newspaper based in Abu Dhabi, to learn about Al Ain, Manchester City’s opening opponents at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

How they qualified

Al Ain qualified for the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup by winning the 2023/24 AFC Champions League.

They finished top of their qualifying group before knocking out Saudi giants Al Nassr and Al Hilal – ending a world-record run of 34 straight wins for the latter – before destroying Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos 6-3 on aggregate in the final.

It was Al Ain’s second Asian Champions League title, following their success in 2003. They remain the only UAE club to win the continental title.

Style of play

Al Ain typically play a flat back four and a nominal centre-forward, allowing their creative midfielders and wide players to roam into dangerous attacking areas.

Goalkeeper and national team captain Khalid Essa (not Eisa) is capable of the sublime and the suspect all in the same 90 minutes.

Manager

Former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo led the Garden City club to their Asian Champions League success, but was sacked six months later as Al Ain’s form fell off a cliff.

His successor, former Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim, lasted a mere 87 days in the role as the Frenchman failed to fix Al Ain’s problems, with Al Ain finishing bottom of the revamped AFC Champions League Elite, statistically the worst title defence in the tournament’s history.

The much-travelled Vladimir Ivic, who had a short spell in charge of English club Watford in 2020, was brought in to steady the ship but has struggled to address the problems that put paid to his predecessors.

Star players

Soufiane Rahimi was the star of Al Ain’s run to the Asian Champions League title, scoring 13 goals in as many matches, a joint-record.

The fleet-footed forward would go on to replicate that form at the Paris Olympics, scoring eight goals as Morocco won bronze in men’s football.

Despite Al Ain’s struggles, Rahimi continues to be a shining light.

He prefers to play off a main striker, though top scorer Kodjo Laba is often deployed from the bench.

Behind Rahimi, Paraguay international Kaku pulls the strings, while Bandar Mohamed patrols the right flank from defence, allowing Al Ain’s nimble wingers to operate inside.

Recent form

Al Ain drew 0-0 with Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the United Arab Emirates League.

They also played a friendly against rival Premier League side Aston Villa, as they fell to a 3-2 loss against the Villans.

What does the Fifa Club World Cup mean to football fans in UAE?

Al Ain’s appearance at the Club World Cup alongside the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich is not taken lightly.

The UAE’s most decorated and well-supported club will carry the flag for a nation on the biggest stage with the whole country behind them.

Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, and sharing a stage with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi is something the Al Ain players know will not come around often, and they are determined to show their worth to the world.

How much do football fans in the UAE follow City and the Premier League?

Manchester City’s popularity among UAE football fans surged following the 2008 takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group/City Football Group.

Abu Dhabi has become a favourite destination for the club for their mid-winter warm break, with players able to enjoy the sunnier climes and world-class hospitality on offer.

While Barcelona and Real Madrid remain popular among young fans, a considerable contingent of Manchester City shirts can also be seen throughout the country’s shopping malls and public parks.