The 2025/26 UAE Pro League season launched in style this weekend, delivering drama, goals, and standout performances across the Emirates.
Key Results
• Shabab Al-Ahli 2–0 Al Dhafra: Shabab Al-Ahli began their ADNOC Pro League title defense with a dominant 2-0 win over newly-promoted Al Dhafra, securing an early lead through goals from Guilherme Da Silva and Renan Victor and maintaining control throughout for a clean sheet at Rashid Stadium.
• Al Ain 2–1 Al Bataeh: Al Ain launched their league campaign with a gritty 2-1 win over Al Bataeh, securing victory through goals from Laba Kodjo—who netted the league’s historic 9000th goal—and Abdulkarim Traoré, after a second-half penalty briefly brought the visitors level.• Khorfakkan 2–1 Al Jazira: Khorfakkan opened their season with a fascinating 3-2 win over Al Jazira, overcoming a second-half comeback and a red card thanks to standout performances from Lourency, Aylton Filipe, and Tarik Tissoudali in a dramatic five-goal encounter.• Ajman 0–2 Al Wahda: Al Wahda began sealed a confident 2-0 win over Ajman, as Omar Khribin netted twice in the second half—first from the penalty spot and then from a slick team move orchestrated by Dusan Tadic, who provided the assist for the second goal.
• Al Wasl 0–2 Bani Yas: Al Wasl kicked off their campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Bani Yas, as Adryelson Silva headed home in the first half and Pedro Malheiro sealed the victory with a stunning volley, both assisted by Hugo Neto.• Kalba 0–1 Al Nasr: Al Nasr came out with a narrow 1-0 win over Kalba, as Gustavo Alex headed in Zayed Sultan’s free-kick and goalkeeper Ahmed Shambih preserved the lead with a crucial stoppage-time save.• Dibba 1–3 Sharjah: Sharjah kicked off their season with a strong 3-1 win over Dibba, overturning a first-half draw through impactful performances from Ousmane Camara, Ben Alarbi, and Emirati youngster Sultan Al Saadi to secure all three points.
Matchday 1 of the 2025/26 UAE Pro League delivered a thrilling start to the season, with reigning champions Shabab Al-Ahli asserting their dominance, title hopefuls like Al Ain and Sharjah making strong statements, and underdogs such as Khorfakkan and Al Nasr showing grit and determination. From historic milestones to dramatic comebacks and standout individual performances, the opening weekend set the tone for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable campaign across the Emirates.
