The top two in each group will reach the quarter-finals of the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup. The four semi-finalists will represent Asia at this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup. Uzbekistan has already qualified for the global finals as host, so if it reaches the Futsal Asian Cup’s last four, play-offs will determine the AFC’s final representative.
Iran and Japan have monopolized the AFC Futsal Asian Cup. Team Melli will be without Hossein Tayyebi, the competition’s top scorer two years ago, but in Salar Aghapour, Saeid Ahmadabbasi and Moslem Oladghobad boast three outstanding players. Arthur, Rafael Henmi, Kokoro Harada and Kazuya Shimizu are out for the Samurai Blue, who have struggled of late, FIFA.com reported.
Iran is the overwhelming forerunners to top Group D. Afghanistan will make its Futsal Asian Cup debut, but has made rapid progress under Iranian coach Majid Mortazavi. Moreover, in Mehran Gholami, it has a player capable of unlocking the most brick-like backlines. Kuwait, eyeing a first global finals since 2012, has just handed its reins to David Marin.