Career
He played in the 1990 and scored the first World Cup goal for his country against West Germany. While it has been reported that he received a Rolls Royce from the United Arab Emirates royal family for his performance at the 1990 World Cup, Ismail stated in a 2010 interview that he never received one. Like other football players in the United Arab Emirates team at the 1990 World Cup, Ismail was not a professional.
He was working as a Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Dubai airports.
He is currently the chief operating officer at Emirates Response Services, Abu Dhabi.