Al Ain team guide: History, trophies won and notable former players of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup club

It's the second appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup for UAE heavyweights, having made it all the way to the final in their last outing back in 2018. 

There, they were beaten by Real Madrid and find themselves in a group this time around with two more of Europe's elite in Manchester City and Juventus - making the path to the knockout rounds a tough ask.

DAZN is the only place to watch every match of the Club World Cup live and for free - download the free app now for smart TVs, smartphones, streaming devices and games consoles to start watching.

DAZN News has everything you need to know about Al Ain.

Al Ain team guide

Location

The club is based in the city of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

It is one of many sport sections of the multi-sports club Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club. .

Origin

In the early 1960s, a group of young men learned the rules of the game by watching British soldiers playing football and formed their own team and the club was officially established in 1968 in the city of Al Ain. 

 

Although a group broke away in 1971 to form Al Tadhamun, the two sides merged together in 1974 under the name Al Ain Sports Club.

Nicknames

• Al Zaeem (The Boss)

Trophies won

No team has won the UAE Pro League more times than Al Ain’s 14 championships, and they are also two-time winners of the AFC Champions League.

• UAE Pro League (14)

• President’s Cup (7)

• Super Cup (5)

• League Cup (2)

• AFC Champions League (2)

Notable former players

Ahmed Abdullah remains the most famous name associated with Al Ain, but over the years several big names from Europe and Africa have appeared for the club.

• Ahmed Abdullah (1978-1995) 

• Abedi Pele (1998-2000) 

• Boubacar Sanogo (2002-2005) 

• Omar Abdulrahman (2008-2019) 

• Asamoah Gyan (2011-2015) 

• Jose Sand (2009-2011) 

• Marcus Berg (2017-2019)

​Top scorer (UAE Pro League 2024/25) - Kodjo Fo Doh Laba (15 goals) 

Al Ain will be looking for a hero to get them out of the group and that role usually falls on the shoulders of this Togo international.

Manager -  Vladimir Ivic (SER) 

No major tournament would be complete with a former Watford manager, and the FIFA Club World Cup is no different. 

 

Ivic had a six-month spell in charge at Vicarage Road in 2020 and has also managed in Greece and Israel. He was appointed Al Ain's coach in March.

How Al Ain qualified for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Al Ain are one of four AFC teams competing in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and qualify as the winners of the 2023–24 AFC Champions League.

A two-legged win over Yokohama F. Marinos sealed their berth, and they will take heart from a runner-up finish in their only previous stint at the tournament.

Al Ain group, schedule at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Al Ain have been drawn into Group G, alongside Manchester City, Juventus and Wydad. 

 

2025 FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN

Sign up now for a free DAZN account to watch the Club World Cup, starting on Saturday, June 14.

Or, if you are already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the tournament is part of your current membership.

A DAZN Freemium account costs nothing and provides access to action across football, boxing, NFL, golf, motorsports, basketball, padel and more*.

Free TV Channels include Matchroom Boxing, PGA Tour, PowerSports World, Billiard TV and Padel Time TV*.

You only need an email address to register for a Freemium account, with no hidden costs.

Join now to watch the FIFA Club World Cup and other sport for free on DAZN. Sign up here.

*Sports and channels dependant on country of residence

More Club World Cup

• 2025 FIFA Club World Cup fixtures, groups, schedule, venues
• The wonder kids to watch out for at FIFA Club World Cup
• Ten legends to star at FIFA Club World Cup
• FIFA Club World Cup: The continental champions looking for world glory
• A guide to the 12 US Club World Cup venues
• How to watch the Club World Cup on DAZN