Emirati football has recorded four cases throughout its history, only for foreign players who obtained citizenship, with the aim of representing the national team in several occasions.
The beginning was with Ivorian Ibrahima Diaquet, who was a professional in the ranks of the island at the time, when he announced that he would be granted citizenship in September of 2006, to play in the name of the Emirates in international championships, but the matter stalled after it became clear that "Diaki" participated with Côte D'ivoire in an official match against Libya in the African Nations Qualifiers.
After 14 years from the date of Diake’s grant of naturalization, the Football Association returned to open the door again to the naturalization of professional players in the UAE league who meet the conditions of naturalization, foremost of which is that the player has appeared for five consecutive years in the local league, and has not previously played with any national team former.
On January 20, the Football Association announced that Al-Ain player, Brazilian Caio, would acquire Emirati citizenship, to be among the national players present in the leader’s lineup, thus the player has the right to join the national team, after spending more than five seasons in the UAE league between Al Wasl and Al Ain .
It was followed on the same day by the acquisition of Emirati player Al-Wahda, the Argentine Tigali, to be registered with Al-Wahda within the category of national players.
Rumors of Tigali naturalization chased after the Asian nations that took place in the UAE in January last year, after joining the unit in the 2013/2014 season, and the naturalization criteria applied to it, without this step being formally completed at the time.
The last player to obtain the nationality was Brazilian Fabio Lima, who announced - on Sunday - on February 2, the granting of Emirati citizenship.
Lima is considered one of the most prominent foreign players in the Arab Gulf League, in recent years, as he joined Al Wasl in the 2014-2015 season, and presented with the "Emperor" remarkable levels, which contributed to his obtaining the title of best foreign player in the Arab Gulf League in the 2017- season. 2018.