After a change to the formatlast season garnered criticism for not including as many lower-league teams,[1] the format has now returned to a previous format. 14 teams fromUAE Division 1 Group A and Group B took place in a group stage with 2 groups of four and 2 groups of three, with the group winners advancing to a play-off stage.[2] The two winners of the play-off matches will join the 14Pro-League teams in the round of 16.