Jakarta: Just three days remain for the kick-off of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ with the 16 contenders laying their final plans for the continental showpiece.
Concluding our look at the groups, the-AFC.com puts Group D under the microscope.
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Champions (13 times)
2024 record: Champions
How they qualified: Group G winners
Fun fact: Iran has reached the title decider in 15 of their previous 17 appearances, only missing out in 2006 and 2012.
It will require a gargantuan effort to stop Iran from advancing from Group D, with the defending champions having shown their immense quality in qualifying.
Iran were the highest scorers in the Qualifiers, notching 26 goals without conceding once, sweeping aside Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.
They were unstoppable at Thailand 2024, winning all but one of their six matches by at least two goals and will be eyeing more of the same with head coach Vahid Shamsaee having a plethora of talent at his disposal.
Afghanistan
Previous appearance: 1
Best finish: Quarter-final (2024)
How they qualified: Group H winners
Fun fact: Having impressed on their debut, Afghanistan will expect to advance to the knockout stage once again at Indonesia 2026.
Afghanistan booked their Finals ticket with a relatively straight-forward qualifying campaign, finishing as Group H winners.
Starting with a 10-1 win against Maldives, Afghanistan sealed a second appearance with a superb 8-0 victory against hosts Myanmar.
Despite having been drawn with Iran, Afghanistan will have no fear after having given the defending champions a tough fight when they met in the group stage of the 2024 edition.
Saudi Arabia
Previous appearances: 3
Best finish: Group stage
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia’s appearance at Indonesia 2026 will be their third consecutive Finals.
Saudi Arabia’s initial target will be to reach the knockout stage.
Head coach Andreu Alvarez oversaw the Qualifiers where Saudi Arabia defeated Chinese Taipei and Pakistan before being edged by Iraq in their final match.
Fahad Rudyani was the star of their campaign, finding the net four times as Saudi Arabia displayed their attacking prowess with 19 goals.
Malaysia
Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Group stage
2024 record: Did not qualify
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Malaysia return to the continental showpiece after missing the last two editions.
Malaysia have it all to do as they return to the competition for the first time since 2018 with Iran already a familiar sight, having lost 4-0 to the Central Asian side in the Qualifiers.
Addie Azwan Zainal has taken over as head coach duties Rakphol Sainetngam – who has returned to take charge of his native Thailand – and will have to implement his ideas in a short period of time.
Several friendly matches were played as part of their week-long final preparation as Addie looks to guide Malaysia to a respectable outing.
