The bronze medal won by Islamic Republic of Iran in the 2016 edition remains the continent’s best showing at the global showpiece but hopes are high that the five teams competing in Uzbekistan 2024 will chart new territory.

Group A
Uzbekistan v Netherlands
Hoping to shine on home soil, Uzbekistan will have to hit the ground running in their opening Group A clash against the Netherlands on Saturday.
Injuries to key players have jeopardised their hopes but Uzbekistan remain optimistic of their chances.
“I was very happy to be called into the squad. We are studying the Netherlands carefully. We have lot of injuries, but enough players who can replace them. Youngsters Abror Akhmetzyanov and Fazliddin Botirov are playing really well,” said Anaskhon Rakhmatov, who replaced Dilshod Rakhmatov in the squad.

The hosts, appearing at the global stage for the third consecutive edition, will face a Dutch side who were runners-up in 1989 but are making a return to the tournament after a lapse of 24 years.
Uzbekistan will then play Paraguay on September 17 with Costa Rica to follow three days later.
Uzbekistan v Netherlands
Venue: Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off: Saturday, 20:00 (UTC+5)
Group B
Croatia v Thailand
With five-time champions Brazil also in the group, Thailand and Croatia will view their clash as a must-win encounter.
Thailand are regulars at the FIFA Futsal World Cup and this will be their seventh consecutive appearance at the Finals but the Southeast Asian side has never navigated past the Round of 16.

A runners-up finish at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ ۲۰۲۴ on home soil, however, has given rise to hope that they can create history at Uzbekistan 2024 and their bid starts against a Croatian side who will be making only their second appearance in the tournament.
“Croatia are big rivals for us. They have high-quality players and a lot of potential. We want Thai futsal to make its mark and bring honour to our nation,” said pivot Muhammad Osamanmusa.
Following the Croatia clash will be ties against Cuba (September 17) and Brazil (September 20).
Croatia v Thailand
Venue: Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off: Saturday, 17:30 (UTC+5)
Group C
Afghanistan v Angola
Afghanistan will be determined to carry on from there they left off at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024 when they open their campaign against Angola.

A ticket to Uzbekistan 2024 was booked in their inaugural appearance at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup and the Central Asian side will be counting on that momentum to give them a winning start against an Angolan squad who made their tournament debut in the last edition.
Afghanistan will also face 2016 champions Argentina (September 18) and Ukraine (September 21).
Afghanistan v Angola
Venue: Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off: Sunday, 17:30 (UTC+5)
Group E
Tajikistan v Morocco
The second Asian side set to make their debut, Tajikistan will also be counting on the high of qualifying for the global Finals to power them past Morocco.

A fourth-placed finish at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024 confirmed their spot and the Central Asian side will relish the opportunity of competing against the world’s best.
Morocco will be a tough test, with the African side making their fourth consecutive appearance and having reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 edition.
Monday’s tie will be followed by matches against defending champions Portugal (September 19) and Panama (September 22).
Tajikistan v Morocco
Venue: Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off: Monday, 20:00 (UTC+5)
Group F
IR Iran v Venezuela
Defeat to Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals of the 2021 edition dashed Iran’s hopes of bettering the bronze medal won in 2016 and the reigning AFC Futsal Asian Cup champions will be determined to make up for that heartbreak at Uzbekistan 2024.

They cruised to a 13th Asian crown in April and with a more experienced squad this time around, Iran will fancy their chances of challenging for the title.
They open against a Venezuela making only their second appearance but having advanced to the Round of 16 in 2021.
The Central Asian side will also have to contend with Guatemala (September 19) and France (September 22) for a place in the knockout stage.