With the winner, runner-up and third-placed team all guaranteed a spot at July’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal, host nation Qatar was placed in Group A where it will have Oman, Bahrain and Laos.
Iran, the side ranked highest in Asia by FIFA, will face Thailand and Lebanon in Group D. Iran is scheduled to begin its campaign against the Lebanese team.
In Group B, Japan, who finished fourth at the 2000 and 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, is set to do battle with China, Vietnam and Kuwait, while the UAE, Palestine, Uzbekistan and Iraq will compete in Group C.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the competition’s knockout stage ahead of the final which will be held on March 28.
Only six teams have confirmed their 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup places so far – Italy, Portugal, reigning champions Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Fiji, the-afc.com wrote.
AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2015 Groups
Group A: Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Laos
Group B: Japan, China, Vietnam, Kuwait
Group C: UAE, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Iraq
Group D: Iran, Thailand, Lebanon