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The 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the 17th edition of Asia's premier football championship organized by the AFC, took place in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1, 2019. Expanded to 24 teams for the first time, it featured a group stage with six groups of four teams followed by a knockout stage. Qatar claimed their maiden title by defeating Japan 3–1 in the final, achieving their first-ever top-four finish. Hosts United Arab Emirates eliminated defending champions Australia in the quarter-finals but fell to Qatar in the semi-finals, who eventually emerged as champions.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1948–2022), the UAE's second president and ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2004 to May 2022, was the eldest son of the UAE's first president, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He took on a significant role in the late 1990s due to his father's health issues and officially became Abu Dhabi's leader in 2004. His tenure saw cultural and academic growth, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways. Under his leadership, the UAE became a major economic power. Known for his pro-Western stance, he strengthened ties with the US and Israel.