Dates: 17-28 April
Venue: Thailand
Uzbekistan 2024 tickets: 4

Group A: Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, China PR
Group B: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Australia
Group C: Japan, Tajikistan, Korea Republic, Kyrgyzstan
Group D: IR Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Afghanistan

How it works
The top two in each group will reach the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will represent Asia at this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup™. Uzbekistan have already qualified for the global finals as hosts, so if they reach the Futsal Asian Cup’s last four, play-offs will determine the AFC’s final representative.
The title
IR Iran and Japan have monopolised the AFC Futsal Asian Cup. Team Melli will be without Hossein Tayyebi, the competition’s top scorer two years ago, but in Salar Aghapour, Saeid Ahmadabbasi and Moslem Oladghobad boast three outstanding players. Arthur, Rafael Henmi, Kokoro Harada and Kazuya Shimizu are out for the Samurai Blue, who have struggled of late.

Thailand bagged bronze when they first hosted the Futsal Asian Cup in 2000 and silver when they did so again in 2008. They are now out to make it third time lucky with gold, and they have never had a better shot at the target. Since the recent reappointment of Miguel Rodrigo, they won the NSDF Futsal Championship and beat Japan. Furthermore, in pivot Muhammad Osamanmusa, they have a performer who has illuminated the Spanish top flight this season. Uzbekistan reached the knockout phase at the last FIFA Futsal World Cup and are determined to go into one they will host as Asian champions.

Uzbekistan 2024 qualification
Vietnam reached the last 16 at Colombia 2016 and Lithuania 2021, with Chau Doan Phat outstanding at the latter. Diego Giustozzi, who coached Argentina to the world title in 2016, will expect to steer the Golden Star Warriors through their pool. Myanmar can take confidence from recent victories over Afghanistan and Kuwait, while China will attempt to progress from the group stage for the first time since 2010.
Group B appears wide open. Uzbekistan are the favourites to top it, but face strict competition. Australia finished runners-up at the recent NSDF Futsal Championship 2024 and drew 3-3 with Japan in a friendly. In goalkeeper Domenic Badolato and winger Shervin Adeli, they have two players in exceptional form. Saudi Arabia pulled off a seismic upset of Japan at the last edition, and will strive to get through the first phase for the first time, while Iraq, albeit inconsistent, are a match for anyone on their day.
It appears a fight between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to join Japan in the last eight, though Korea Republic, who haven’t advanced from the first phase in 20 years, did play some delightful futsal in qualifying for the Asian finals.
Iran are the overwhelming forerunners to top Group D. Afghanistan will make their Futsal Asian Cup debut, but have made rapid progress under Iranian coach Majid Mortazavi. Moreover, in Mehran Gholami, they have a player capable of unlocking the most brick-like backlines. Kuwait, eyeing a first global finals since 2012, have just handed their reins to David Marin.

Quotes
“We want to get back to the World Cup. I believe in it. We believe in it. We’ve had a lot more games, a lot more preparation than usual. I think that’s definitely helped us a lot. We’re focusing on Uzbekistan. We’ll take it game by game, but the target is to be in the top four.”
Shervin Adeli, Australia player

“As a squad, we’re very passionate and believe in our ability. Our dream is to qualify for the World Cup, but we also want to compete for the Asian Cup title.”
Moath Al-Asiri, Saudi Arabia player
“We will face Thailand at the Asian Cup with their coach Miguel Rodrigo, who was our coach before. He’s a good coach, a friendly person and I’m sure that will be an exciting match against Thailand, but I hope that we win! The goal is clear and that’s to get one of the tickets to the next World Cup, but we’re also aiming for our first medal at the Asian Cup.”
Pham Duc Hoa, Vietnam player