Sport
AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026: Final eight confirmed
Afghanistan will meet Japan on Tuesday in their quarter-final match.
The group stage of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 wrapped up on Sunday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated knockout phase that begins on Tuesday, February 3, with four blockbuster quarter-final clashes lined up.
Following an action-packed group stage, the final eight teams have been confirmed, with the quarter-finals promising intense competition as Asia’s top futsal nations battle for a place in the semi-finals.
Hosts Indonesia, who topped Group A ahead of Iraq after a hard-fought stalemate on Friday, will face Vietnam in the final quarter-final of the day. Indonesia will be aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history, while Vietnam are chasing a return to the last four for the first time since the 2016 edition.
Iraq will take on Thailand, who finished runners-up in the 2024 tournament. The matchup is expected to be fiercely contested, with both sides showing strong form during the group stage.
Four-time champions Japan secured top spot in Group C after coming from behind to defeat Uzbekistan on Sunday. Their reward is a quarter-final meeting with Afghanistan, who finished runners-up in Group D.
Afghanistan impressed despite a 5-2 defeat to Iran, showing resilience against the defending champions.
Defending champions Iran, chasing a remarkable 14th Asian title, will meet Uzbekistan. Iran enter the knockout stage full of confidence after winning all three of their group matches in an impressive campaign so far.
All quarter-final matches will take place in Jakarta on Tuesday, with fans across the region able to follow the action live.
ATN holds the official broadcast rights for the tournament, bringing comprehensive coverage of the knockout stage to viewers across Afghanistan.
Fans in Afghanistan are encouraged to follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s social media pages for updated broadcast details.
Sport
Qosh Tepa crowned champions of inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League
Qosh Tepa were crowned champions of the inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League after defeating Akhawat in Thursday’s championship final in Kabul, bringing the country’s first-ever professional wrestling league to a successful conclusion.
Qosh Tepa’s wrestlers secured more victories across the 10 weight-class contests than their Akhawat counterparts, earning the inaugural league title and lifting the first Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League championship trophy.
The competition featured some of Afghanistan’s top wrestlers representing 10 teams in a season that showcased the country’s growing interest in the sport.
Throughout the tournament, athletes competed in a series of closely contested matches, with the league providing a new platform for both established wrestlers and emerging talent.
The 10 participating teams were:
- Akhawat
- Bala Hissar
- Doosti
- Spin Ghar
- Setareha
- Solh
- Qala Dost
- Fath
- Qosh Tepa
- Kahkashan
The inaugural league attracted enthusiastic crowds throughout the competition, with supporters filling the arena to cheer on their teams. The tournament generated significant interest on social media and highlighted wrestling’s popularity across Afghanistan.
The entire inaugural season was broadcast live and exclusively by Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) allowing viewers across Afghanistan to follow every match from the opening day through to the championship final.
The league marked the first time a national wrestling competition in Afghanistan had been broadcast live by Ariana Radio and Television Network, representing an important milestone for the sport’s development in the country. Organisers hope the success of the inaugural season will
pave the way for future editions, helping to strengthen wrestling, discover new talent and provide athletes with greater opportunities to compete at a higher level.
Qosh Tepa’s championship victory closes a memorable first season that established a new chapter for Afghan wrestling and set a strong foundation for the continued growth of the league in the years ahead.
Sport
Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League crowns inaugural champion in tonight’s grand final
Fans can watch all the excitement live from 6:00 p.m. Kabul time on Ariana Television, as well as via the Ariana Sport and Ariana News Facebook pages.
The inaugural Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League reaches its thrilling conclusion on Thursday evening, with the championship title set to be decided in what promises to be an action-packed grand final in Kabul.
After more than a week of intense competition featuring some of Afghanistan’s top wrestlers, the league has showcased skill, strength and determination, drawing strong support from fans across the country.
The final is expected to deliver another night of high-quality wrestling as the remaining contenders battle for the inaugural Premier League crown in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
The tournament has played a significant role in promoting wrestling in Afghanistan, providing a professional platform for local athletes to compete at the highest level while inspiring a new generation of wrestlers.
Fans can watch all the excitement live from 6:00 p.m. Kabul time on Ariana Television, as well as via the Ariana Sport and Ariana News Facebook pages.
With the first-ever Afghanistan Wrestling Premier League champion about to be crowned, organisers are expecting a memorable finale to a successful debut season.
Sport
Afghanistan futsal team heads to Thailand for Continental Championship
The Afghanistan national futsal team has departed for Bangkok, Thailand, to compete in the 2026 Continental Futsal Championship.
According to the Afghanistan Football Federation, the tournament will be held from August 1–6 and will feature Afghanistan, Thailand, Russia, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
Afghanistan will kick off its campaign against host nation Thailand on August 2.
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