Zlatko Dalić names first UAE national team squad

Zlatko Dalić, the head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team, has released his first 26-player squad following his appointment. The selection highlights a strategy of blending local talent with naturalized international players to prepare for the World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

Among the selected players is 33-year-old defender Saša Ivković. Born in Vukovar, Ivković developed through the Partizan Belgrade youth academy and previously represented Serbian youth national teams. After playing for clubs in Serbia, Israel, and Slovenia, he moved to the UAE in 2019. Having obtained UAE citizenship, Ivković has already earned eight caps and scored one goal for the national team.

Ivković is one of 13 players in the squad who were not born in the UAE but hold citizenship. The defensive line will also feature naturalized players such as Marcus Meloni, Lucas Pimenta, and Erik de Menezes. The squad is being prepared for the upcoming 27th edition of the Arab Gulf Cup in Jeddah.