UAE under-20 national team begins Abu Dhabi camp ahead of AFC U-20 qualifiers
UAE under-20 national team begins an Abu Dhabi camp Jul 29–Aug 10 with a 41-player extended squad to prepare for AFC U-20 qualifiers in Thailand (Aug 29–Sep 6).
Camp launched in Abu Dhabi
The UAE under-20 national team opened an internal training camp in Abu Dhabi running from July 29 to August 10.
This gathering is the penultimate stop in the team’s build-up to the AFC U-20 qualifying tournament in Thailand, which runs from August 29 to September 6.
Coaches and federation staff described the camp as a concentrated opportunity to assess form and fitness ahead of the international window.
Sessions will focus on tactical cohesion, match readiness and finalising the identity the coaching staff expects the side to adopt in the qualifiers.
Preparation for AFC U-20 qualifiers in Thailand
The camp is explicitly positioned as a preparatory phase for the AFC U-20 qualifiers, where the UAE will seek a place at the continental finals in Thailand.
With the tournament start date set for August 29, the coaching team has limited time to finalise selections, sharpen set-piece routines and simulate match scenarios.
Players will undergo a mix of on-field drills and video analysis to align individual responsibilities with the team’s tactical plans.
Officials stress that competitive readiness and mental resilience are priorities given the compressed schedule before the qualifiers.
Peter van der Veen leads his first youth camp
This Abu Dhabi camp is the first for the under-20 side under newly appointed head coach Peter van der Veen.
Van der Veen has used initial sessions to evaluate player attributes, assess combinations and instil foundational tactical principles.
The Dutch coach has indicated an emphasis on building cohesion quickly while tailoring tactical ideas to the squad’s strengths.
Staff members are observing players closely to determine which individuals can make the jump to the final qualifying roster.
Extended 41-player squad announced
An extended squad of 41 players has been called into the camp as the coaching staff expands their options before trimming to a final team.
The list covers goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards and includes several names who have impressed in domestic competitions this season.
Among the goalkeepers are Sultan Muhannad Abdulaziz, Mohamed Nasser Al-Bastaki and Hamdan Mohammed Al-Hammadi.
Defensive options feature Sultan Mubarak Al-Amri and Qais Ahmed Al-Safadi, while midfield and attacking pools include Gabriel Khouri, Mamadou Diallo and Jaiden Aditiba.
First training session attended by federation official
The opening training session was attended by UAE Football Association board member Abdul Mohsen Fahad Al-Dosari, signalling institutional support for the youth programme.
His presence underscored the federation’s interest in monitoring progress and backing the coaching staff’s plans ahead of the qualifiers.
Federation representatives said they will maintain close liaison with the technical team as the camp progresses and will be involved in logistical preparations for the Thailand trip.
The association also reiterated its commitment to supporting player welfare and ensuring the team departs fully prepared.
Coaching decisions and timeline to final squad
Coaching staff are expected to use the remaining days of the camp to run internal matches and finalize assessments that will inform squad cuts.
Selection decisions are likely to balance current form, tactical fit and positional coverage for the tight qualifying schedule.
Players not retained for the final list may continue to train with club sides or join subsequent development programmes run by the federation.
The technical team has indicated that the final squad will be announced in the days immediately preceding departure for Thailand.
The Abu Dhabi camp represents a critical phase for the UAE under-20 national team as it seeks to convert preparatory work into competitive success at the AFC U-20 qualifiers.
