Club News

Originally published by Gulf Youth Sport (GYS) on September 7, 2026.

Every so often, a club emerges that completely redefines what is possible across the region’s footballing landscape. Meet Origin FC, a grassroots sensation built on shared leadership and unyielding squad unity that has just put together one of the most remarkable growth stories in Dubai’s youth sports history.

Founded by Daniel Riachi, a passionate 16-year-old student who was priced out of the city’s steep academy system, Origin FC was created to make competitive football accessible to everyday players. What started as Daniel’s vision quickly transformed into a collective mission powered by a dedicated team of student leaders.

Collective Strength: How the Core Leadership Built the Foundation

When the Youth Football League (YFL) Dubai gave Origin FC the green light to enter, the club’s survival depended entirely on its core leadership stepping up to divide and conquer the off-pitch hurdles:

• Founder & Operational Direction: Daniel Riachi spearheaded the project from scratch, pitching the YFL and assembling the foundational squad while steering the vision.
• Operations & Financial Balance: Nirmay Teckchandani stepped in as the operational backbone, managing finances, structuring fair fee splits, pitching local sponsors to keep player costs to an absolute minimum, and overseeing the overall structure and format of the club.
• Purpose & Community Impact: President of Partnerships Shivank Mishra anchored the squad’s values by securing an official partnership with Muskaan PAEPID (a charity supporting mentally differently-abled individuals), putting their name on the match kits to raise awareness.
• Culture & Resilience: Chief Operating Officer Alexander Riachi served as the glue for the entire roster, holding team morale together off the pitch after a brutal 8-1 opening-day defeat and maintaining unity through an early losing streak.
• Coaching & On-Pitch Growth: Head Coach Mazen Kais provided the technical structure and confidence the squad lacked, orchestrating a massive turnaround that culminated in a 7-game winning streak and a 3rd-place league finish.

Building the Pipeline: Expanding the Origin FC Family

Refusing to stop with a single squad, Head of Football Operations Ruben Hunt took on the challenge of building the club’s next generation. Developing a brand-new U14 squad from scratch, he guided them through a demanding summer league against older opposition to establish a sustainable path for younger players.

Now, heading into the 2026/2027 season, Alexander Riachi’s crucial negotiations behind the scenes have officially elevated Origin FC into the prestigious DOFA league. The original core steps up into the U19 DOFA division, while Ruben’s U14 squad continues its journey in the YFL — proving that when a team shares the load, ordinary players can build extraordinary pathways.

Read the full original feature on Gulf Youth Sport →

Origin FC's U19 squad has officially joined the DOFA league for the new season — our biggest step up in competition since founding the club in 2025.

It is recognition of two years of consistent training, tactical evolution, and a new sponsorship push to match. The squad has been training with relentless discipline in preparation, and we can't wait to see them compete at the highest tier of youth football in the UAE.

With expanded training sessions, video analysis, and elite conditioning, the U19s are determined to make a lasting impression in their debut DOFA campaign.

Origin FC's newly formed U14 squad didn't just announce their arrival, they sent a shockwave. In their very first friendly match together, the boys put on an absolute clinic, defeating Gulf United 12-2.

The attacking chemistry was instantly visible, with players like Rayan Safaa and Max Knigge causing constant problems for the opposition defense. Meanwhile, a disciplined backline allowed the midfield to dictate the tempo of the entire match.

Scoring 12 goals in a debut game is an unbelievable achievement and sets a massive standard for the season ahead. The future is incredibly bright for these young stars!

Origin FC is thrilled to announce the official launch of our new U14 squad, marking a massive milestone in the growth of our academy pipeline.

As our club continues to expand, developing young talent in Dubai remains our top priority. This new squad brings together an exciting group of players.

Under the guidance of our dedicated coaching staff, these players will learn the Origin FC philosophy, playing with passion, tactical intelligence, and sportsmanship. We can't wait to see them take the pitch and represent the badge!

Origin FC announced their arrival in the YFL Cup with a stunning 5-2 victory over Athletic FC (D1) in the Round of 16.

The match didn't start as planned, with Origin finding themselves 1-0 down early on. However, the squad showed incredible resilience, refusing to let their heads drop. The response was emphatic. A relentless attacking display that saw Origin fight back to score five times, turning the tie completely on its head.

This comeback victory secures our spot in the Quarter Finals and sends a strong message to the rest of the competition in our debut cup campaign.

The Youth Football League Cup has officially kicked off, marking a major milestone for Origin FC as we enter our first-ever cup competition.

The knockout stages are now underway, and we have been drawn against Athletic FC (D1) in the Round of 16. This is a high-stakes moment for the club. Our first taste of knockout football where every moment counts.

The coaching staff and players have shifted their focus to the intensity of cup football, prioritizing tactical discipline and mental toughness in training. The squad is fully fit and ready to fight for a place in the Quarter Finals in this historic debut campaign.

It was an afternoon to remember at The Sevens Stadium as Origin FC recorded their first-ever competitive victory in the Youth Football League, defeating Star Academy U17 with a convincing 2-0 scoreline.

From the first whistle, the boys looked hungry. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute, a well-worked team goal that settled the nerves. Origin FC dominated possession throughout the second half and sealed the game with a late strike, sparking celebrations on the touchline.

This victory represents a major step forward for the club. It serves as validation for the hard work put in during training and proves that Origin FC has the quality to compete and win at this level.