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Afghanistan names 15-man squad for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
For Afghanistan, advancing past the qualifiers would mark a significant achievement and provide further momentum for the sport at home.
The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, set to be held in Indonesia later this month.
Afghanistan has been drawn in Group H, alongside Myanmar and the Maldives, in one of the tighter groups of the qualifiers.
The national side will begin their campaign against the Maldives on September 20 before taking on Myanmar on September 24. Only the group winners and the best second-placed teams will advance to the finals, making every match crucial.
The 15-player squad includes a blend of youth and experience, with key figures such as Mohammad Jawad Safi, Ali Ahmad Mohseni, and Mehdi Nowruzi expected to anchor the team.
Other notable inclusions are Reza Hosseinpur, Jawad Haidari, Hamid Reza Hosseini, and Ali Amiri.
Full Squad:
Mohammad Jawad Safi, Ali Ahmad Mohseni, Mehdi Nowruzi, Reza Hosseinpur, Jawad Haidari, Hamid Reza Hosseini, Ali Amiri, Syed Murtaza Hosseini, Farzad Mahmoodi, Mohammad Moradi, Bahman Gorgij, Sayed Hossein Mousavi, Akbar Kazemi, Abbas Haidari, Omid Qanbari.
This year’s qualifiers feature 31 nations, split into eight groups — seven groups of four and one group of three.
The winners of each group and the top six second-placed teams will secure a berth in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, Asia’s premier futsal competition.
Afghanistan has been steadily developing its futsal program in recent years, with domestic leagues drawing increased participation and attention. The sport has grown in popularity as it requires fewer facilities than traditional football, making it accessible in Afghan cities and towns where infrastructure challenges remain.
For Afghanistan, advancing past the qualifiers would mark a significant achievement and provide further momentum for the sport at home.
The team faces a challenging path, but officials at the AFF say they are optimistic that the squad has the talent and determination to compete strongly against regional opponents.