Sport

Thrilling battles await as AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 set to kickoff in hours

The opening matchday begins at the Jakarta International Velodrome on Tuesday January 27, where Thailand (FIFA Rank: 11) will face Lebanon (54) in Group B.

Published

8 months ago

January 26, 2026

Ariana News

Thrilling battles await at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 when the tournament gets underway on Tuesday, January 27, in Jakarta, with 16 teams chasing ultimate continental glory.

Now in its 18th edition, the competition brings together a familiar cast of contenders, with 13 teams returning from the 2024 Finals, including the ever-present quartet of Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Thailand and Uzbekistan, who continue their remarkable record of appearing at every Finals to date.

Hosting the hard-court showpiece for the second time after 2002, Indonesia will stage matches across two venues, with the champions set to be crowned on February 7.

The opening matchday begins at the Jakarta International Velodrome on Tuesday January 27, where Thailand (FIFA Rank: 11) will face Lebanon (54) in Group B.

The match will get underway at 9:30am Kabul time.

Three-time runners-up, including in 2024, Thailand will be determined to finally go all the way, while Lebanon—seven-time quarter-finalists—return for their 13th Finals appearance.

Later in the day, Vietnam (20), fourth-place finishers in 2016, open their eighth campaign against Kuwait (40), who are contesting their 14th Finals.

Meanwhile, action at the Indonesia Arena sees Group A kick off at 11:30am, with Iraq (37) beginning their 14th appearance against a Kyrgyz Republic (43) side. Hosts Indonesia (24) will enjoy strong home backing at 4pm as they take on Korea Republic (57), who are aiming to surpass their runners-up finish from 1999 in their 16th appearance.

Among the teams to watch is Afghanistan, who return with growing confidence after a memorable debut in 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024. This marks Afghanistan’s second appearance at the Finals, with their best finish already an impressive last-eight showing.

Afghanistan booked their ticket to Indonesia 2026 with a relatively straightforward qualifying campaign, finishing as Group H winners. They began with a dominant 10–1 victory over Maldives, before sealing qualification emphatically with an 8–0 win against Myanmar.

Drawn once again alongside heavyweights, Afghanistan will open their Group D campaign against Saudi Arabia (45)—making their fourth Finals appearance—on January 28 at 9:30m at the Jakarta International Velodrome.

Later that day, reigning champions Iran (5), the only side never to have finished outside the top three, begin their quest for a record-extending 14th title against Malaysia (70).

Despite the challenge, Afghanistan will have no fear. They pushed defending champions Iran hard when the sides met in the group stage of the 2024 edition, a performance that underlined their rapid rise in Asian futsal.

Having impressed on their debut, Afghanistan will expect to advance to the knockout stage once again at Indonesia 2026.

Elsewhere, Japan (13) go in search of a fifth crown after a shock group-stage exit in 2024, opening Group C against Australia (51) at 3pm. Four-time finalists Uzbekistan (22) will also be eyeing a maiden title as they face Tajikistan (47) at 7pm, with Tajikistan looking to build on their historic fourth-place finish from 2024.

For fans back home, every moment of the tournament will be within reach. ATN has secured exclusive live broadcasting rights across Afghanistan and will broadcast matches on Ariana Television, ensuring nationwide coverage of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026.

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Sport

Abu Muslim Farah beat Sarsabz Yashlar 3–0 in sixth season of ACL opener

Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

Published

11 hours ago

September 11, 2026

Ariana News

Defending champions Abu Muslim Farah made a winning start to the sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, defeating Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab 3–0 in the opening match.

The match, played Thursday evening at the Afghanistan Football Federation Stadium, saw Abu Muslim Farah dominate proceedings and secure all three points with a convincing performance.

Omid Popalzai opened the scoring in the first half, before Mahboob Hanafi and Omid Rajabi added two more goals after the break to seal a comfortable victory for the defending champions.

The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League features 10 teams, with the competition being played on a home-and-away format in Kabul.

Today, Friday, Omar Zawak Loy Shindand will face Khurasan Faryab at 3:30 p.m., while Istiqlal Kabul will take on Toofan Herat in the third match of the day.

Ariana Khost and Umar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new teams competing in this season’s tournament.

Fans across Afghanistan can watch today’s second and third matches live and exclusively on Ariana Television.

The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League will run until November 21, with the participating teams battling for the championship title.

Sport

Afghanistan Champions League Season 6 kicks off today: Abu Muslim Farah face Sarsabz Yashlar

The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.

Published

1 day ago

September 10, 2026

Ariana News

The sixth season of the Afghanistan Champions League kicks off Thursday, September 10, with defending champions Abu Muslim Farah facing Sarsabz Yashlar of Faryab in the opening match.

The match is scheduled for 7:30pm Kabul time and will mark the start of a season running until November 21.

Ten clubs will compete in the league, with matches played in a home-and-away format in Kabul.

Abu Muslim Farah will begin their title defence against Sarsabz Yashlar, while Ariana Khost and Omar Zawak Loy Shindand are among the new additions to this season’s competition.

The other participating teams are Aino Mina, Arman FC, Istiqlal Kabul, Khurasan Faryab, Sorkh Poshan Khafi and Toofan Herat.

Fans across Afghanistan can watch the opening match live and exclusively on Ariana Television from 7:30pm Kabul time.

The Afghanistan Champions League will continue through November 21, with clubs competing for the Season 6 title.

Sport

Afghanistan to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE in three-format home season

All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan are set to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in October-November in a packed home season that will include matches in all three formats.

All the matches will be played in the UAE, though the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced the venues.

The season will kick off on October 9 – six days after the final of the Asian Games T20 tournament in Japan, should Afghanistan make it that far – with a one-off Test match against Bangladesh.

An ODI tri-series will follow from October 17 to 23, with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe facing each other once before the top two teams meet in the final.

Afghanistan will then take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series from October 27 to November 1. The two teams will then face off in two Test matches, the first from November 5 to 9 and the second from November 13 to 17.

Afghanistan have already played a Test match this year, against India in New Chandigarh in June. The three matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will take Afghanistan’s total for the year to four Tests – the most they will have played in a calendar year so far.

Afghanistan have played two Tests against Bangladesh so far, winning one and losing the other. They have played five against Zimbabwe, winning two, losing two, and drawing one.

“We are pleased to confirm this important period of international cricket for the Afghanistan National Team,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said. “Playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities and offer our supporters an exciting period of international cricket.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to providing our national team with regular, high-quality international cricket. We highly value our relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket and appreciate their cooperation in making these important assignments possible.”

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE, 2026-27

One-off Test vs Bangladesh October 9-13

ODI tri-series
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe October 17
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe October 19
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh October 21
Final October 23

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I series
1st T20I October 27
2nd T20I October 29
3rd T20I November 1

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test series
1st Test Nov 5 – 9
2nd Test Nov 13 – 17