With the new season just a few weeks away, budding footballers can fine-tune their preparations by competing in the Duplays Nations Cup.

Taking place on Friday, July 31, 11 teams have already signed up for the one-day five-a-side tournament at Dubai World Trade Centre. You can still join them, however, with five spaces remaining ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

Open to men, aged over 18, sides will play a minimum of three games and a maximum of six, with the winners receiving adidas products as well as trophies and medals.

Each squad must have a minimum of five players and no more than eight, and the competition will follow the traditional five-a-side rules.

As the UAE’s largest sport and social club with over 5,000 members, organisers Duplays know a thing or two about sport. 

Their leagues cover a range of sports, including volleyball, cricket and badminton, while this year’s Nations Cup is the very first edition. 

League administrator Mustafa Radwan is delighted to see a number of teams already signed up.

“The numbers are certainly encouraging and it will provide a thrilling day of action at Dubai Sports World,” he said.

“There’s still some days to go and anyone who would want to compete, I would encourage them to sign up as soon as possible.”

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He added: “We realise many players support teams, so we thought it would be a very good way to play a tournament representing a country in a competitive atmosphere since there are many people of different nationalities living in the UAE.

“We want to replicate it as if they are competing in a World Cup or European Championship.”

If you want to compete, then team entries cost Dh1,250 with matches scheduled from 10:00 to 15:00.

While Radwan believes there will be some thrilling matches, he insists the players will have a lot of fun competing.

“It’s our very first time hosting this tournament and based on previous football tournaments we’ve hosted, I’m sure this will be another success,” he said.

“There’s not many opportunities to play as countries, so it will bring everyone together and while there will be some entertaining matches, the players can get to test themselves on their fitness abilities before the new season begins.”

What: Nations Cup
Where: Dubai World Trade Centre
When: Friday, July 31, from 10:00 to 15:00
Contact: To register or for more information visit https://duplaysdubai.playpass.com