Picking which side you support is an almost sacred decision.
This is why a little bit of help is always appreciated, especially if you’re in a new country. Pick out which Arabian Gulf League suits you best using the handy guide below.
AL AIN
Who they are like: Real Madrid
These sides are simply royalty in their own countries. From sweeping up silverware with impunity, to donning resplendent white jerseys – they even met in the 2019 Club World Cup final.
AJMAN
Who they are like: Getafe
Ajman, like Madrid’s lesser-known side Getafe, sit on the outskirts of the UAE’s famous hot spots. But there is still plenty to admire about them.
BANI YAS
Who they are like: Watford
On the edge of the capital? Check. Intriguing track record of picking out future gems? Also check. Watford would have been proud of Bani’s 2015 pick-up of Ishak Belfodil.
AL DHAFRA
Who they are like: Norwich City
Enjoy the long trip into East Anglia? Well, here’s an outfit who can be found deep into the UAE’s desolate Western Region. It’s a bit drier, mind…
FUJAIRAH
Who they are like: Rangers
One figure unites these two teams – Madjid Bougherra. The ex-Algeria centre-back made his name in Glasgow from 2008-11. His first taste of senior management is now coming at the Wolves.
HATTA
Who they are like: Braga
Estadio Municipal de Braga is carved into the side of a mountain and widely hailed as the globe’s most-picturesque stadium. Hatta’s Hamdan bin Rashid Stadium has the gorgeous Hajar Mountains as a back drop.
ITTIHAD KALBA
Who they are like: West Bromwich Albion
Love the tension of a relegation battle and elation of a promotion fight? Ittihad Kalba are the club for you. Just like the Baggies, it’s easy to lose track of which division they are in.
AL JAZIRA
Who they are like: Roma
Sensational one-club men, like Francesco Totti and Ali Mabkhout, have provided plentiful attacking thrills for these glorious underachievers.
KHOR FAKKAN
Who they are like: Paderborn
It’s a school of hard knocks in the top flight – promoted Paderborn and Khor Fakkan can attest to this. Both have followed promotion up by sitting bottom.
AL NASR
Who they are like: Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs and Nasr boast glittering re-developed stadiums, rich histories, leading strikers (Alvaro Negredo/Harry Kane) and a staggering inability to win the biggest trophies.
SHABAB AL AHLI DUBAI CLUB
Who they are like: Paris Saint-Germain
PSG merged with Paris FC in 1970 to form the behemoth we know today. Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club will hope their 2017 amalgamation is similarly successful.
SHARJAH
Who they are like: Liverpool
From giants of the game in the 1980s, to frustrated also-rans in the 90s. Sharjah, however, ended a 23-year wait for league glory last term. Is it Liverpool’s turn this time?
AL WAHDA
Who they are like: Ajax
Want your club to boast an enviable production line of fresh talent? For Ajax in the Netherlands, read Al Wahda in the UAE.
AL WASL
Who they are like: Napoli
The circus that surrounds Argentina icon Diego Maradona stopped off at both clubs. A packed Zabeel Stadium for the passionate Bur Dubai derby with Al Nasr is an experience to savour.
