Afghanistan to face Iran in Islamic Solidarity Games futsal clash

Afghanistan’s national futsal team will take on Iran in its second group-stage match at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh on Thursday, following a strong start to the tournament with a 9–5 victory over Tajikistan earlier this week.

In their opening game, Afghanistan delivered an energetic performance, taking a commanding lead in the first half before conceding five goals in a tense second period. The win marked the team’s first in the competition and is expected to boost morale ahead of Thursday’s high-profile clash with regional powerhouse Iran.

Afghanistan shares its group with Iran, Morocco, and Tajikistan, as part of a tournament featuring more than 3,000 athletes from 57 Islamic countries competing across 19 sporting disciplines.

The Islamic Solidarity Games aim to foster unity and cooperation among Islamic nations through sport while encouraging cultural and athletic exchange.

The match against Iran is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (Kabul time) at The Green Halls within the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex in Riyadh.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Riyadh 2025 Games, marking a significant step forward for Afghan sports media. The network will air live coverage of Afghanistan’s matches, giving fans nationwide the opportunity to follow the team’s progress.