📅 Sunday 26th July - Thursday 30th July 2026
📍Amman, Jordan.
A new chapter begins.
After winning the 2025/26 UAE Women’s Football League, Banaat FC stepped onto the regional stage for the first time in club history, travelling to Jordan for the third edition of the WAFF Women’s Club Championship.
Six clubs from across West Asia came together to compete for the regional title. For Banaat FC, the tournament represented the next step in the club’s journey — taking the team beyond the domestic game and onto an international stage.
The Journey Begins
On 26 July, the squad travelled from Dubai to Jordan, arriving at the Regency Palace Amman, which would become the team’s base throughout the tournament.
After settling in, the squad got straight to work with its first training session, beginning the preparation for its historic international debut.
Preparing for the Challenge
The days that followed were centered around preparation.
The squad trained at an official training ground provided by the tournament’s gracious hosts in Jordan, who warmly welcomed Banaat FC throughout its time in the country. The team worked through tactical preparation while building connections between the new and returning players who had come together for the tournament.
Preparation continued back at the Regency Palace Amman, with the players using the hotel’s gym for strength and conditioning and its pool for active recovery between sessions.
Alongside the training, the squad also took part in a technical meeting and official Head Coaches' press conference, giving Banaat FC its first opportunity to represent the club within the wider regional football community. Head Coach Wafa Nacha was also the only female coach represented on the panel, adding another significant moment to Banaat FC’s first international experience. She spoke about the significance of competing in the club’s first international tournament, expressing her ambition to represent Emirati football with pride and compete for the title. She also highlighted the importance of integrating the tournament’s six professional players with the club’s local players.
Experiencing Jordan Together
Away from training, the squad made time to experience its surroundings and spend time together away from the pitch.
One of the highlights came on the 27th July, when the team headed into downtown Amman. Exploring the markets and streets, sampling local street food and traditional knafeh, and taking a long walk together towards the Roman Theatre, the evening offered the players a chance to experience the city and enjoy a different side of their international journey.
Other moments of downtime included exploring the area around the hotel and visiting local cafés between training sessions. These moments became an important part of bringing together a squad made up of both new and returning players.
The Final Preparations
By the 29th July, the focus had narrowed to the challenge ahead.
A final team meeting and training session gave the squad one last opportunity to prepare, strengthen its understanding and build momentum before matchday. After days of travelling, training, recovering and coming together, Banaat FC was ready to make history.
The International Journey Begins
On the 30th July, Banaat FC faced Beirut Football Academy at Prince Mohammed Stadium in Zarqa for the opening match of its first international campaign.
Banaat FC vs Beirut Football Academy
📅 Thursday 30 July 2026
📍 Prince Mohammed Stadium, Zarqa, Jordan
⏰ 17:00 local time | 18:00 UAE time
The match marked the culmination of the preparation that had begun in Dubai — and the beginning of a new chapter for Banaat FC.
From domestic champions to international competitors, the journey had officially begun.
