Set to make their debut on the global stage, the Central Asian nation will have to compete against Angola, Argentina and Ukraine for a place in the Round of 16.
Factfile
Previous Appearances: Nil
How They Got There: Defeated Kyrgyz Republic in AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 Playoff 3
Head Coach: Majid Mortezaei (IRN)
Fun Fact: Afghanistan qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup through their debut appearance in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup
Group C Fixtures: v Angola (September 15); v Argentina (September 18); v Ukraine (September 21)
Qualification to the FIFA Futsal World Cup was sealed in amazing circumstances in April when Afghanistan made their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ debut.
Afghanistan enjoyed a remarkable campaign, finishing second in Group D ahead of Bahrain and Kuwait before pushing Tajikistan all the way in the quarter-finals, with head coach Majid Mortezaei’s side ultimately suffering a 2-1 defeat in extra-time.
The disappointment of missing out on the semi-finals, however, was erased with a stunning performance in the playoffs for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.
A 5-3 win in the first playoff against Iraq was followed by victory by a similar margin against Kyrgyz Republic to confirm their FIFA Futsal World Cup ticket.
Mortezaei, who hails from the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in the aftermath of sealing qualification that Uzbekistan 2024 would be a valuable learning experience for his players.
With an average age of 22, Afghanistan will definitely prove a handful for their Group C opponents in the September 14-October 6 tournament and given their motivation and enthusiasm, a place in the knockout stage cannot be ruled out.
