Gulf United FC

Founding

In 2019, the Gulf United academy was founded by a group of English football coaches from Manchester, and has since become one of the market leaders.^[5] The club has youth teams from ages 7–23 in the academy, as well as being a professional club. Gulf United brings expert coaches from all around the world to Dubai and describes itself as a club 'driven on player development'.^[6]

UAE Third Division

In the 2021–22 season, Gulf United entered the UAE Third Division, a league that allows privately owned clubs and academies to join the UAE Football Pyramid.^[7] Soon after Steven Taylor was announced as the manager.^[4][8][9]

The 2021-22 UAE Third Division Season was formatted as two groups, where the winner of each group would face the runner-up of the other group in a play-off for promotion. Gulf United went unbeaten in the group stages finishing first in Group A. They faced Abtal Al Khaeej in the semi-final's, which was in a home & away format. Gulf United lost the first leg 1–0, and won the second leg 2–0, officially securing promotion to the UAE Second Division.

Gulf United then faced Group B winners Fleetwood United in the UAE Third Division final and were crowned eventual champions of the Third Division after beating Fleetwood United, sister club of Fleetwood Town 3–1 in the final of the inaugural season, with 2 goals from Cédrick Nana and 1 from Bonet Bobai, cementing them as UAE Third Division Champions.^[10][11]

UAE Second Division

The 2022–23 season was the clubs first in the UAE Second Division. The squad was strengthened with signings such as Devonte Redmond, Soheil Varahram and Max Johnstone as well as further signings in the January transfer window with former Real Madrid player Mink Peeters and former Celtic & Norwich City striker Gary Hooper.

After drawing their first game, Gulf United went on to win 5 games in a row, going into the Christmas period at the top of the league.^[12]

Gulf United went on to be crowned the champions of the 2022-23 UAE Second Division, and winning promotion to UAE First Division and making history by achieving the first ever back-to-back promotion in the history of UAE Football.^[13]

UAE First Division

After completing the first back to back promotion in UAE football, Gulf United were promoted to the UAE First Division for the 2023–24 season.^[14] The previous campaign had seen both promoted clubs from the UAE Second Division, Fursan Hispana and Baynounah, relegated immediately, highlighting the scale of the step up to second tier level.^[15]

Ahead of the season, the club appointed former professional footballer Neil Taylor as first team manager, a role he combined with his position as assistant coach of the Wales under 21 national team.^[16] Gulf United also broke their transfer record with the signing of Scottish striker Josh Fowler.^[17]

In their debut UAE First Division campaign, Gulf United finished 15th, securing survival comfortably and ending the season clear of the relegation places.^[18] The campaign established the club at second tier level and provided several academy players with their first experience of senior professional football. Taylor departed at the conclusion of the season and subsequently took charge of Al Jazira’s under 21 side.^[19]

During the 2024–25 season, Gulf United recorded further progress under new manager Richard Peniket, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, who had previously led Gulf United "B" in the UAE Third Division.^[20] The team finished 10th in the 18 team league, representing a five place improvement on their debut campaign.^[21] Notable results during the season included victories against eventual champions Al Dhafra, as well as Emirates, United FC and Masfout.^[22] Dutch forward Lars Veldwijk joined during the January transfer window and scored 14 goals in 12 appearances, contributing to a strong finish to the campaign.

Following the season, 16 first team players secured transfers to clubs in the UAE Pro League or UAE First Division, a club record. The improved league position consolidated Gulf United’s status in the division and increased its profile within Emirati professional football.

Ahead of the 2025–26 season, Gulf United appointed former Real Madrid academy coach Davi Iglesias Niño as first team manager.^[23] The club undertook a significant recruitment drive, signing Guinean centre back Julian Jeanvier from Kayserispor and Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer from Al Nasr in September 2025.^[24] Brazilian forward Weberty joined from Al Bataeh, along with Zambian under 20 international Emmanuel Mutale and former West Ham United academy graduate Archie Woods.^[25] In January 2026, the squad was further strengthened with the signing of Swedish international Robin Quaison.

International friendlies

The club regularly plays in exhibition matches against global opponents showcasing the clubs young talent. In January 2022, Gulf United played with 7-time Slovak First Football League winners MŠK Žilina.^[26] In February 2022, Gulf United played a friendly fixture against Riga FC,^[27] a game in which Gulf United player Manyumow Achol was subsequently scouted and signed for FK Auda.^[28][29]

Gulf United also played Premier League side Newcastle United in a friendly match at NAS Sports Complex on the 24 March 2022,^[30] in which Newcastle won 5–0 with goals from Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Dwight Gayle.^[31][32]

On 6 January 2023, Gulf United played a friendly against Al Ain FC, the 21-22 UAE Pro League defending champions, and who are widely recognised as being the most successful club in the UAE. The match ended 1–0 to Al Ain FC with a goal scored by UAE international Bandar Al-Ahbabi.^[33]