Term 2 of the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games opened with the Football Championship, held under the patronage of the Dubai Sports Council from 12 to 22 January 2026 at Al Nasr Club, following a qualifying phase that saw 2,556 students compete across 225 teams, underlining the strong appetite for school football in Dubai.

Those preliminary rounds narrowed the field to the Championship stage, where 1,440 students from 38 schools competed across 120 teams, making the event one of the largest school football competitions in the UAE.

Across boys’ and girls’ age categories from U9 to U16, matches were marked by high-energy performances, technical excellence and impressive sportsmanship, reinforcing the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games’ position as a premier platform for school sport in the emirate.

Schools in the Spotlight

GEMS Modern Academy and the GEMS Wellington schools emerged as standout performers across several age groups, collecting multiple championship titles, podium finishes and individual MVP awards to underline their strength and depth across the competition. Their consistent performances set the benchmark throughout the Championships, with players delivering composed, high-level football in decisive matches.

They were closely challenged by impressive runs from Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School, Sunmarke School, German School Dubai, Dubai International Private School, and GEMS Dubai American Academy, whose teams delivered memorable moments and fiercely contested encounters, adding to the overall quality, intensity and excitement of the Football Championships.

Championship Winners & MVPs

Girls’ Categories

U11 Girls
1st – GEMS Modern Academy
2nd – GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
3rd – GEMS Metropole School
MVP: Ann Dhanya R – GEMS Modern Academy

U13 Girls
1st – GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
2nd – Sunmarke School
3rd – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School
MVP: Sophie F – GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail

U15 Girls
1st – GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis
2nd – Sunmarke School
3rd – Our Own English High School
MVP: Esme H – Sunmarke School

Boys’ Categories

U9 Boys
1st – GEMS Metropole School
2nd – GEMS Jumeirah Primary School
3rd – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School
MVP: Youssef S – GEMS Metropole School

U10 Boys
1st – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School
2nd – Sunmarke School
3rd – Jebel Ali School
MVP: Noam B – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School

U11 Boys
1st – German School Dubai
2nd – GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
3rd – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School
MVP: Fredrick K – German School Dubai

U12 Boys
1st – GEMS Metropole School
2nd – GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail
3rd – Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou School
MVP: Yousef A – GEMS Metropole School

U14 Boys
1st – Dubai International Private School
2nd – GEMS Dubai American Academy
3rd – GEMS Wellington International School
MVP: Kosta G – Dubai American Academy

U16 Boys
1st – GEMS Dubai American Academy
2nd – GEMS Wellington Academy, Silicon Oasis – T1
3rd – GEMS World Academy
MVP: Seif F – GEMS Dubai American Academy

A Growing Platform for Youth Football

The MIDEA Dubai Schools Games continues to grow as a pathway from classroom to Championship pitch. Thousands of students took part in the qualifiers, and the top teams went on to compete in a thrilling Championship at Al Nasr Club, where talent, teamwork, and competitive spirit were on full display.

The programme gives students the chance to represent their schools, test themselves against the best, and develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork, all while enjoying the game they love. It’s this combination of structure, opportunity, and excitement that has made the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games the cornerstone of school sport in Dubai. 

Paris Li, General Manager of Midea Appliances Middle East & Africa, commented: “At Midea, we believe in empowering young talent and celebrating the spirit of competition. Our continued support of the Midea Dubai School Games reflects our commitment to nurturing future champions through sport and innovation. MIDEA is proud to support an initiative that celebrates teamwork, passion and progress.”

Marco Vocale, Commercial Director at ESM, added:
“The Football Championships captured exactly what the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games stands for opportunity, development and excellence. The sheer number of teams involved, combined with the standard of competition on display at Al Nasr Club, highlights how important this platform has become for schools and young athletes across the emirate.”

About the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games

The MIDEA Dubai Schools Games is a flagship initiative under the patronage of the Dubai Sports Council, designed to promote participation, community spirit and talent identification among students across the emirate. The 2025–26 season will feature more than 25,000 students competing across 25 sports and over 100 event days, making it Dubai’s largest youth sports movement.

The Games are proudly title sponsored by MIDEA, with Volkswagen Al Nabooda Automobiles, Careem, and Almarai as supporting partners. Al Ain Water serves as the official Hydration Partner, Clive as the Official Streaming Partner, and ESM as the Delivery Partner of the MIDEA Dubai Schools Games.