Iran’s National Futsal team will depart Tehran to Jakarta on Friday, to participate in the 18th edition of Asian Premier Futsal Competition. The defending champions are coached by Vahid Shamsaei.
Thrilling battles await at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ when it kicks off on January 27 (Tuesday) in Jakarta as 16 teams chase ultimate glory.
The 18th edition of the tournament features a host of familiar contenders, with 13 returning from the previous campaign in 2024, including the ever-present quartet of Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Thailand and Uzbekistan, who extend their record of appearing in every Finals to date.
Hosting the hard-court showpiece for the second time after 2002, Indonesia will stage the matches across two venues, with the champions to be crowned on February 7.
The first matchday opens at the Jakarta International Velodrome with a 1pm clash between Thailand (FIFA Rank: 11) and Lebanon (54) in Group B. Having thrice finished as runners-up, including in 2024, the Thais will hope to make the final breakthrough this time, while their opponents—seven-time quarter-finalists—are back for a 13th occasion, following their last appearance in 2022. At 5pm, 2016 fourth-place finishers Vietnam (20) start their eighth Finals quest against Kuwait (40), whose best placings are also fourth (2003, 2014) and are marking their 14th Finals showing.
Over at the Indonesia Arena at 3pm, Group A gets underway with Iraq (37), who placed fourth in 2018, commencing their 14th involvement against a Kyrgyz Republic (43) outfit that finished fourth twice (2006, 2007) and are contesting a 17th Finals. Indonesia (24), who registered their best finish in 2022—their most recent showing—by reaching the last eight, can expect a boisterous backing at 7pm in their 11th appearance as they face Korea Republic (57), involved for a 16th occasion and looking to better their runners-up finish from 1999.
Having enjoyed a memorable debut in 2024 by reaching the Quarter-finals to qualify for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, Afghanistan (28) will be hungry for more as they gear up to face Saudi Arabia (45)—notching their fourth Finals appearance—in Group D on January 28 at 1pm at the Jakarta International Velodrome. Reigning champions IR Iran (5), the only team to have never finished outside the top three, will commence their hunt for a record-extending 14th crown at 5pm against Malaysia (70), who will feature at a 13th Finals and first since 2018.
Japan (13) go in search of a fifth title after falling well short in 2024 when they suffered their first-ever Group Stage exit and start with a Group C opener at 3pm at the Indonesia Arena against Australia (51), who are appearing at their ninth Finals and count fourth place in 2012 as their best result. A maiden success will be on the minds of four-time finalists Uzbekistan (22) ahead of their 7pm showdown against Tajikistan (47), who registered a best-ever fourth-place finish in 2024—an achievement they will aim to surpass at their 13th Finals.
Group D
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 GROUP STAGE – GROUP D
AFGHANISTAN – SAUDI ARABIA
IRAN – MALAYSIA
Friday, January 30, 2026 GROUP STAGE – GROUP D
SAUDI ARABIA – IRAN
MALAYSIA – AFGHANISTAN
Sunday, February 1, 2026 – GROUP STAGE – GROUP D
SAUDI ARABIA – MALAYSIA
IRAN – AFGHANISTAN