What age can my child start at AFC?

The pathway starts at age 3. The youngest group is U3-U4 (born 2024 and 2023 for the 2026/2027 season), which trains on Saturday, 9am to 10am, indoors.

When do the kids' groups train?

For 2026/2027: U5-U6 Monday and Wednesday 5pm to 6pm; U7-U9 and U10-U11 Monday and Wednesday 5pm to 6.15pm; U12-U14 Monday and Wednesday 6pm to 7.30pm; U15-U16 Tuesday and Thursday 6pm to 7.30pm; U17-U19 Tuesday and Thursday 7.30pm to 9pm.

Is there football for girls?

Yes. The club lists girls' training for U13 and below (indoor, Saturday morning) and for U12 and above. Ask the club which slot fits your daughter's age.

How much does AFC cost?

Fees are not published on the club's website. There are three options (Premium, Full AFC Program, or 1 training plus weekend match), so ask the club on WhatsApp for current prices.

Is there a free trial?

The website does not mention a trial session. Ask the provider on WhatsApp.

Registration for the 2026/2027 season, which started on 31 August, is online through Join AFC on the club's website, on WhatsApp (+971 58 595 8014) or directly at the club.

AFC – Athletic Football Club: youth football academy in Al Manara, Dubai

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New to Waha

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Umm Suqeim

Athletic Football Club Dubai (AFC) is a youth football club founded in 2016 in Al Manara, close to the Burj Al Arab. Its pathway runs from Football School (3 to 7 years) through Pre-Academy (8 to 13) and Project Horizon (14 to 18) to a senior squad that plays in the UAE Third Division, so a child can stay at one club from their first kicks to adult football. Groups are set by year of birth, from U3-U4 up to U19, with girls' training for U13 and below and for U12 and above, and a Premium programme that adds private development sessions. The club describes its approach as "More Than Football": it talks about respect, discipline, confidence and team spirit alongside technique, and about families being part of club life rather than spectators. Its network lists the UAE Football Association, Dubai Sports Council and the French Football Federation, and teams play in the DOFA league and tournaments such as the Mina Cup.

afc-dubai.com

The activity

Football, explained

Football is a team game that many Dubai clubs start from about age three or four, with short, playful sessions: lots of touches on the ball, dribbling round cones, simple passing games and tiny matches. As children grow, training moves on to technique, positions and tactics, with regular matches against other clubs at weekends. Alongside fitness and coordination, it teaches children to listen to a coach, work with teammates, win and lose gracefully and turn up on time. All a beginner needs is boots, shin guards and a water bottle; clubs usually supply or sell the training kit.

Who it's for

Boys and girls from age 3 to U19, grouped by year of birth (U3-U4 born 2024-2023 up to U17-U19 born 2010-2008 for the 2026/2027 season). Girls' training runs for U13 and below and for U12 and above. The registration form asks about medical conditions, disabilities and learning needs so the club can plan an inclusive session; ask the club directly about specific support.

What to expect

Youngest players (U3-U4) train on Saturday mornings indoors; older groups train twice a week after school on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, with weekend matches. The club asks players to arrive 10 minutes before training with the official AFC training kit, boots suited to the pitch, shin guards (mandatory) and a water bottle. Parents are asked not to coach from the sidelines and to report absences through the club's communication app. Registration is online through Join AFC, on WhatsApp or at the club, and needs an Emirates ID or passport copy. The site does not mention a trial session or fees, so ask the club.

Highlights

Founded in 2016 in Al Manara, close to the Burj Al Arab (afc-dubai.com)
One pathway: Football School 3-7, Pre-Academy 8-13, Project Horizon 14-18, then a senior squad in the UAE Third Division (afc-dubai.com)
Girls' training for U13 and below and for U12 and above (afc-dubai.com)
Premium programme for U3 to U19 adds private development sessions (afc-dubai.com)
Bus for registered U13 to U19 players from Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou (Academic City) to the Al Manara pitch, Monday to Thursday (afc-dubai.com)
Teams play in the DOFA league and tournaments including the Mina Cup and Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup (afc-dubai.com)

The facts

Ages: From age 3 up to U19: Football School 3-7, Pre-Academy 8-13, Project Horizon 14-18; groups U3-U4 to U17-U19 by birth year
Not published yet: Ask about prices and trials
Schedule: 2026/2027: U3-U4 Sat 9-10am (indoor); U5-U6 Mon & Wed 5-6pm; U7-U9 and U10-U11 Mon & Wed 5-6.15pm; U12-U14 Mon & Wed 6-7.30pm; U15-U16 Tue & Thu 6-7.30pm; U17-U19 Tue & Thu 7.30-9pm; Premium Tue & Thu 5-6pm and Sat 9-10am
Where: Al Manara, Umm Suqeim, Dubai (close to the Burj Al Arab; exact pitch to be confirmed with the club)
How to book: afc-dubai.com · +971 58 595 8014 · wa.me/971585958014

Guide · 7 min readRead: What age can children start football in Dubai?

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Kit: official AFC training kit, football boots for the surface, shin guards (mandatory) and a water bottle (afc-dubai.com)
Arrive 10 minutes before training; parents collect promptly afterwards (afc-dubai.com)
Registration needs a copy of the child's Emirates ID (front and back) or passport, used for league and tournament eligibility (afc-dubai.com)
The club says the exact pitch location in Al Manara is to be confirmed with the club, so check before your first visit (afc-dubai.com)
Three registration options: Premium (2 trainings a week, weekend matches and 1 private session), Full AFC (2 trainings a week and weekend matches), or 1 training plus weekend match (afc-dubai.com)