emirates7 - The journey to the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 will officially begin this Thursday with the Qualifiers draw ceremony, set to take place at 3 PM at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A total of 31 national teams, including the UAE, have confirmed their participation in the 11th edition of the Qualifiers, which will be held from September 20 to 24. The draw will divide the teams into eight groups—seven groups of four teams and one group of three—following a centralised league format.
Indonesia, which will host the tournament for the second time after debuting as hosts in 2002, has earned automatic qualification. They will be joined by 15 other teams—the eight group winners and the seven best second-placed sides—for the 18th edition of the Finals, scheduled to kick off in January next year.
Bangladesh and Pakistan will make their first appearance in the Qualifiers, while futsal powerhouses Iran, Japan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan will aim to extend their perfect attendance record across all editions.
For the first time, the seeding for the draw will be determined using the latest FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking. Teams will be divided into four main pots and an additional Hosts Pot, based on FIFA rankings as of April 4:
Pot 1: Iran (5), Thailand (11), Japan (13), Uzbekistan (23), Vietnam (31), Afghanistan (33), Kuwait (40), Iraq (41).
Pot 2: Tajikistan (44), Kyrgyzstan (48), Saudi Arabia (50), Australia (52), Lebanon (53), Myanmar (56), South Korea (70), Malaysia (76).
Pot 3: China PR (79), Chinese Taipei (82), Bahrain (83), UAE (97), Maldives (106), Timor-Leste (109), Mongolia (112), Macau (115).
Pot 4: Hong Kong (118), Brunei (119), Palestine (121), Cambodia (125), India (135), Bangladesh (unranked), Pakistan (unranked).
Hosts Pot: Thailand (11; Seed 1), Kuwait (40; 1), Tajikistan (44; 2), Kyrgyzstan (48; 2), Saudi Arabia (50; 2), Myanmar (56; 2), Malaysia (76; 2), China PR (79; 3).
A total of 31 national teams, including the UAE, have confirmed their participation in the 11th edition of the Qualifiers, which will be held from September 20 to 24. The draw will divide the teams into eight groups—seven groups of four teams and one group of three—following a centralised league format.
Indonesia, which will host the tournament for the second time after debuting as hosts in 2002, has earned automatic qualification. They will be joined by 15 other teams—the eight group winners and the seven best second-placed sides—for the 18th edition of the Finals, scheduled to kick off in January next year.
Bangladesh and Pakistan will make their first appearance in the Qualifiers, while futsal powerhouses Iran, Japan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan will aim to extend their perfect attendance record across all editions.
For the first time, the seeding for the draw will be determined using the latest FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking. Teams will be divided into four main pots and an additional Hosts Pot, based on FIFA rankings as of April 4:
Pot 1: Iran (5), Thailand (11), Japan (13), Uzbekistan (23), Vietnam (31), Afghanistan (33), Kuwait (40), Iraq (41).
Pot 2: Tajikistan (44), Kyrgyzstan (48), Saudi Arabia (50), Australia (52), Lebanon (53), Myanmar (56), South Korea (70), Malaysia (76).
Pot 3: China PR (79), Chinese Taipei (82), Bahrain (83), UAE (97), Maldives (106), Timor-Leste (109), Mongolia (112), Macau (115).
Pot 4: Hong Kong (118), Brunei (119), Palestine (121), Cambodia (125), India (135), Bangladesh (unranked), Pakistan (unranked).
Hosts Pot: Thailand (11; Seed 1), Kuwait (40; 1), Tajikistan (44; 2), Kyrgyzstan (48; 2), Saudi Arabia (50; 2), Myanmar (56; 2), Malaysia (76; 2), China PR (79; 3).