With just under three weeks to go before FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ kicks off, Afghanistan’s team is gearing up to take on Angola in their first match of the tournament on September 15.

Speaking to FIFA this week, Afghanistan player Mahdi Norouzi said: “Playing in the Futsal World Cup is very important to the people of Afghanistan. They have longed to see their team in the World Cup for many years and fortunately we were able to advance to the World Cup with the help of the head coach, the players and prayers of our people.”

This comes after Afghanistan went into the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time in April – and as rank outsiders.

Majid Mortezaei’s side nevertheless recorded 5-3 victories over Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic to conquer the four-team play-offs for a place at the World Cup.

“We were so happy that we were able to make the people of Afghanistan proud and give them a smile,” Norouzi said.

“The people of Afghanistan deserved this happiness.”

He went on to say that Afghanistan’s head coach has been watching not only Helber Garcia, Angola’s star, but all their players.

“Without doubt we’ll have a special plan to play against Angola and beat them,” he said.

Argentina, who finished first and second respectively at the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups, will provide hurdle number two, but Afghanistan are undaunted by their opponents’ credentials.

“It’s true that Argentina have a very good team and are one of the contenders to win this World Cup,” Norouzi remarked.

“But no team has as much motivation as we do. We have no fear of Argentina and we will enter battle to win.”

He said the team’s first goal was to advance from the group stage and that ultimately they would like to win the title.

“Every team that qualified for this Futsal World Cup is good and it’s difficult to predict who will lift the trophy, but I really like Afghanistan’s chances.

“Every team has big stars. I think many players from Brazil, Portugal, Spain and even Afghanistan are among the world’s best players,” he said.

The Lions of Khorasan will have one factor in their favor. Afghanistan shares a border with Uzbekistan and are expected to enjoy vociferous support at the tournament.

“We are neighbors,” explained Norouzi. “Many of our compatriots live in Uzbekistan. We expect to have many fans cheering us on.”

For fans unable to travel to the sporting extravaganza, Ariana Television will however broadcast matches live across the country.

Afghanistan’s first match, on day 2 of the tournament, will take place on Sunday, September 15 at 17:00.

This will be broadcast live on Ariana Television.

This is the first FIFA tournament to be held in Central Asia, and as such is expected to draw crowds of supporters.

Three Host Cities, the capital, Tashkent, Andijan in the Fergana Valley and in ancient Silk Road trading center of Bukhara, will stage games as Uzbekistan becomes the fourth AFC member to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup after Hong Kong (1992), Chinese Taipei (2004) and Thailand (2012).

The 24-team line-up for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 is as follows: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, France, Guatemala, IR Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.