Sport
From underdogs to global contenders: Afghanistan’s futsal rise

Afghanistan’s national futsal team has been making waves on the global stage in the past few years, proving that resilience and talent can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Their journey from underdogs on the global platform to serious contenders has been nothing short of inspiring.
In line with this, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has remained committed to helping develop the sport in the country and will once again produce and broadcast Afghanistan Futsal Premier League Season 4, which is scheduled to kick off on June 6 and end on August 12.
Ten teams will take part in this year’s tournament, playing a total of 90 matches in a round-robin format.
While the start of the tournament is still more than two weeks away, anticipation is growing.
First up however is Saturday’s tournament draw which will be broadcast live on Ariana Television and Ariana News from 3pm.
Growing interest
In September 2024, Afghanistan made history by competing in their first-ever Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
They faced top teams like Argentina, Paraguay, and Ukraine, securing a thrilling 6-4 victory over Angola before narrowly losing to Argentina 2-1 and Ukraine 4-1.
Despite these setbacks, they advanced to the round of 16, where they fought hard against Paraguay but were eliminated 3-1 after extra time.
Their performance ignited national pride and inspired young athletes across the country.
More recently, in April 2025, Afghanistan continued to impress at the Copa BETesporte Intercontinental de Seleções in Brazil and a four-nation tournament in Morocco.
They battled world-class opponents, earning critical wins and proving their ability to compete at the highest level.
Their matches against Brazil and Iran showcased their discipline and determination, while their victories over Greenland highlighted their growing consistency.
Despite limited resources and infrastructure, Afghanistan’s futsal team has demonstrated remarkable progress and their success is a testament to the passion and dedication of their players, coaches, and supporters.
As they continue to rise, they are not just making a name for themselves in futsal but also bringing hope and pride to their nation.
Domestic tournaments key to growing futsal arena
Domestic tournaments, meanwhile, play a crucial role in Afghanistan’s futsal landscape, serving as a platform for talent development, national pride, and international recognition.
In line with this, ATN is committed to supporting the team on its journey to success, and tournaments like the Afghanistan Futsal Premier League provide young players with opportunities to showcase their skills and gain professional experience.
Fan Zone
The games will be held at the Afghanistan Football Federation Futsal Committee Gymnasium.
Two matches will take place each day – both of which will be broadcast live and exclusively on Ariana Television.
Fans meanwhile can tune in to Ariana Television and Ariana News at 3pm on Saturday for what will undoubtedly be an exciting tournament draw.
Sport
AFPL: Aria Forj 3–2 Omid, Zaitoon 2–7 Zaher Asad

In the 23rd match of the Afghanistan Premier Futsal League (AFPL) held on Wednesday, Aria Forj secured a narrow 3–2 victory over Omid FC in a closely contested match.
In the 24th fixture, Zaher Asad FC delivered a commanding performance, defeating Zaitoon FC 7–2.
All matches are being held at the Futsal Gymnasium of the Afghanistan Football Federation in Kabul.
The 25th match of the league is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), with Noorzad FC set to face Perozi Panjshir.
In the 26th match, also taking place on Thursday, Sadaqat FC will go head-to-head with Jawanan Maihan.
Futsal fans across Afghanistan can watch the tournament live and exclusively on Ariana Television Network (ATN).
Sport
AFPL: Omid 3-3 Perozi Panjshir; Noorzad 5-3 Zaitoon

The Afghanistan Futsal Premier League (AFPL) delivered another day of high-energy action in the capital on Monday, featuring a dramatic draw and an impressive win that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
In Match 19, Omid and Perozi Panjshir played to a thrilling 3–3 draw in a tightly contested showdown that saw both sides exchange goals and momentum throughout the game.
Match 20 featured an energetic performance by Noorzad Nimroz, who secured a 5–3 victory over Zaitoon, demonstrating clinical finishing and solid team coordination. The win strengthens Noorzad’s position in the standings as the competition intensifies.
Looking ahead, futsal fans can expect more excitement on Tuesday, with two matches lined up at the Kabul arena:
Deyar-e Sanayee vs Jawanan Maihan – 3:30 PM
Etihad vs Sadaqat – 5:45 PM
All matches of the AFPL are broadcast live on Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN), ensuring that fans across the country remain connected to the pulse of Afghanistan’s premier futsal competition.
Sport
CAFA U-20 Championship: Afghanistan face Turkmenistan in crucial group stage match
The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 pm local time at the Central Republican Stadium, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF).

The Afghanistan Under-20 national football team will take to the field today, Monday June 16, against Turkmenistan in a crucial third group-stage match at the ongoing CAFA U-20 Championship 2025 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 pm local time at the Central Republican Stadium, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF).
Afghanistan enters the encounter looking to bounce back after a challenging start to the tournament, having lost their opening two fixtures—first to host nation Tajikistan, followed by a defeat against Kyrgyzstan.
With no points on the board, today’s match represents a key opportunity for the Afghan side to restore confidence and avoid early elimination from the regional competition.
The CAFA U-20 Championship, organized by the Central Asian Football Association, brings together youth national teams from six member countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
The tournament, which kicked off on June 10, aims to provide a competitive platform for developing talent across Central Asia and serves as preparation for future AFC and FIFA youth-level competitions.
Turkmenistan, meanwhile, are also searching for their first win in the tournament, making today’s clash a high-stakes fixture for both sides. A positive result for either team could prove vital in climbing the standings and maintaining hopes of progressing further in the championship.
Afghanistan’s U-20 squad is being closely watched by fans and national selectors alike, as the country continues to rebuild its football development pipeline.
As the teams prepare for kickoff, supporters will be hoping for a spirited performance from the Afghan youth side as they seek their first points in this year’s competition.
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