Bala is back training with the UAE national football team, but that does not mean he will play against Yemen. The Shabab Al Ahli midfielder has recovered from injury and joined group sessions. Still, head coach Zlatko is taking his time. Bala is expected to sit out the Yemen match as the staff puts his long-term fitness first.
Team manager Ismail Rashid said Bala is now working with the squad, but the coaches are not rushing him. The odds are high that Bala will miss the Yemen game. According to Twasl News, Bala is still seen as a likely absentee because he is not fully ready after his injury.
The UAE national team began preparations for the Yemen match in Jeddah, with the first training session held on September 22 and a 26-man squad named for the tournament.
Rashid pointed out a bigger issue for the team. Under Zlatko, the squad has only had seven training sessions. That is not much time to learn a new coach's tactics. Zlatko Dalic, the Croatian coach, only took charge in August 2026. As YS Scores reported, he has had about 42 days to get the team ready for the Gulf Cup opener.
Even so, Rashid said the players have shown real professionalism and energy. He called their attitude a good sign. Zlatko has said the same, both in public and in talks with the team. The UAE faces Yemen on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 19:55 UAE time. This is the first Group B match in the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, as confirmed by Sharjah24 and The National.
Quick coaching changes and short prep time are not new in UAE sport. Other teams and athletes have had to adapt fast when new coaches arrive close to big events. As reported earlier, this has happened in different sports, not just football.
The UAE has dominated recent encounters with Yemen, boasting a streak of eight consecutive victories in this fixture. This historical advantage is noted in pre-match coverage and could influence expectations for the Group B opener.
Bala's return is being handled carefully. The team is still getting used to Zlatko's style. For now, the UAE's chances against Yemen will depend more on how ready the group is as a whole than on any one player. This approach puts player health and clear tactics ahead of quick fixes. It is a sign the team wants steady progress, not just short-term results.
