Live Stream: Emirates vs. Egypt Battle in the Arab Cup

The UAE national football team faces a must-win situation tonight against Egypt at Lusail Stadium in the Arab Cup 2025. After losing their opening match 1-2 to Jordan, the Emiratis sit at the bottom of Group 3 with zero points and need a victory to keep their tournament hopes alive.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the UAE squad. Jordan leads the group with six points after two wins, while Egypt and Kuwait each have one point following their 1-1 draw in the first round. This leaves the UAE in a precarious position where anything less than three points tonight would likely end their tournament run.

Coach Olario Cosmin has made subtle changes to his starting lineup from the Jordan defeat. Sasha Ivanovic moves into the starting eleven, while Kwame drops to the bench. The full starting lineup includes Hamad Al Maqbali in goal, with a defensive line of Robin Veli, Lucas Pimenta, Sasha Ivanovic, and Alaa El Din Zahir. The midfield features Yahya Nader, Marcus Meloni, and Luan Pereira, while the attack is led by Nicolas Jimenez, Yahya Al Ghassani, and Bruno Oliveira.

The match kicks off at 10:30 PM local time at Lusail Stadium in Doha. Egypt comes into this game with their own pressure, knowing that a loss would put them in serious danger of early elimination. Both teams understand that the Arab Cup represents an important opportunity to build momentum and test their squads against regional competition.

For the UAE, this tournament serves as crucial preparation for future World Cup qualifying campaigns and other continental competitions. The team has been working to establish a consistent identity under their coaching staff, but results like the opening loss to Jordan highlight the work still needed.

The Arab Cup format means that only the top teams from each group advance, making every match critical. With Kuwait also in the mix with one point, tonight's result could reshape the entire group dynamics heading into the final round of matches.