The United Arab Emirates national football team, known as the "Al Abyad" (The Whites), represents the UAE in international competition. Based in Abu Dhabi, the team plays its home matches at various stadiums including the iconic Zayed Sports City Stadium. The side was formed following the nation's independence and has become a consistent force in Asian football. Their golden era came in the early 1990s, qualifying for their first and only FIFA World Cup in 1990 in Italy, a landmark achievement for Emirati sport. In recent years, the UAE has remained competitive in the AFC Asian Cup, finishing third in 2015 and reaching the semi-finals in 2019, powered by talents like Ali Mabkhout, the nation's all-time top scorer. The team enjoys strong support from a passionate fan base, with their white kits symbolizing the unity of the seven emirates. The UAE continues to strive for a return to the world's biggest stage.