The AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026™ promises to be a thrilling spectacle after the Official Draw was held in Jakarta on Wednesday. With 16 of Asia’s top futsal nations confirmed, the stage is set for two weeks of world-class competition in the Indonesian capital from January 27 to February 7, 2026.
The draw, conducted at the MNC Conference Hall, divided the participating nations into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Group A: Indonesia, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea
Host nation Indonesia headline Group A and will have the full support of their fans at both the Indonesia Arena and Jakarta International Velodrome. Backed by the energy of the home crowd, Indonesia are strong contenders to progress.
Iraq, known for their physical play and counter-attacking style, could provide a serious challenge. South Korea and Kyrgyzstan, while less consistent in continental futsal, both have the potential to surprise.
Prediction: Indonesia and Iraq are favorites to reach the knockout stage, with South Korea close behind.
Group B: Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, Lebanon
Group B features a fierce Southeast Asian rivalry between Thailand and Vietnam, making it one of the most exciting groups of the tournament. Thailand, ranked 11th in the world, remain one of Asia’s most dominant futsal sides and are expected to top the group.
Vietnam, under coach Diego Giustozzi, have shown rapid progress and recently defeated both Kuwait and Lebanon in previous encounters, giving them a psychological edge.
Prediction: Thailand to finish first, with Vietnam likely joining them in the quarter-finals.
Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Australia
This group looks balanced on paper but has a clear favorite in Japan, four-time AFC Futsal champions. Their tactical discipline and consistent performance on the continental stage make them a top contender once again.
Uzbekistan, who have finished as runners-up four times, will be Japan’s biggest obstacle in Group C. Meanwhile, Tajikistan and Australia are dark horses that could complicate the race for qualification if they perform well.
Prediction: Japan and Uzbekistan to qualify, but Tajikistan could cause an upset if they find form early.
Group D: Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia
The reigning 13-time record champions Iran enter as overwhelming favorites to win both Group D and the tournament itself. Their depth, technical quality, and experience at the highest level make them nearly untouchable in Asia.
Afghanistan have been steadily improving and could surprise, while Saudi Arabia and Malaysia will aim to gain valuable tournament experience.
Prediction: Iran to dominate the group, with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia fighting for the second spot.
Early Favorites for the Title
While Iran and Japan remain the traditional powerhouses, teams like Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia could shake things up in 2026. With strong home support and rising quality in Asian futsal, Indonesia’s campaign could turn into one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
