AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup
As preparations begin for the continental showpiece, which will also offer three tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025, the-AFC.com presents the cast.
Group A
Thailand
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: Quarter-finals
2023 result: Quarter-finals
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Thailand have featured in every edition of the tournament since making their debut in 2013
Kuwait
Previous appearances: 4
Best finish: Quarter-finals
2023 result: Quarter-finals
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Prior to 2023, Kuwait's campaigns in 2011, 2015 and 2019 ended in the group stage
Lebanon
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: 4th (2015, 2017)
2023 result: Group stage
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Lebanon will be making their fifth consecutive AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup appearance
India
Previous appearances: 1
Best finish: Quarter-finals
2023 result: Did not compete
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: India's appearance at Thailand 2025 comes 18 years after having made their continental debut
Final: Japan Lift Trophy
Group B
Japan
Previous appearances: 10
Best finish: Champions (2009, 2011, 2019)
2023 result: Runners-up
World Cup qualification: 12
Fun fact: Japan have finished in the top three in all 10 previous editions
China PR
Previous appearances: 10
Best finish: 4th (2006, 2008)
2023 result: Quarter-finals
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: China PR, alongside Iran and Japan, have featured in every edition of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup
Saudi Arabia
Previous appearances: 2
Best finish: Group stage
2023 result: Group stage
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Besides the 2023 edition, Saudi Arabia's only previous appearance was in 2013
Iraq
Previous appearances: 5
Best finish: Group stage
2023 result: Did not compete
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Iraq featured in five consecutive editions before missing out in 2023
#ACBeachSoccer Thailand 2023 | Moments
Group C
Islamic Republic of Iran
Previous appearances: 10
Best finish: Champions (2013, 2017, 2023)
2023 result: Champions
World Cup qualification: 8
Fun fact: Iran are the top-scoring team in the tournament's history with 279 goals
United Arab Emirates
Previous appearances: 9
Best finish: Champions (2007, 2008)
2023 result: 4th
World Cup qualification: 8
Fun fact: UAE advanced to the semi-finals of the previous three editions, finishing runners-up in 2017 and 2019
Afghanistan
Previous appearances: 4
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2017)
2023 result: Group stage
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Afghanistan's 2023 campaign ended with three defeats in the group stage
Indonesia
Previous appearances: 2
Best finish: Group stage
2023 result: Group stage
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Indonesia returned to the tournament in 2023 after a lapse of 12 years
Group D
Oman
Previous appearances: 7
Best finish: Champions (2015)
2023 result: Third
World Cup qualification: 5
Fun fact: Oman finished third in the three previous editions and were runners-up in 2011
Bahrain
Previous appearances: 9
Best finish: Champions (2006)
2023 result: Quarter-finals
World Cup qualification: 2
Fun fact: Bahrain have not advanced past the quarter-finals in their last six appearances
Malaysia
Previous appearances: 3
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2017, 2019)
2023 result: Group stage
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Malaysia will be appearing in their fourth consecutive AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup, having made their debut as hosts of the 2017 edition
Vietnam
Previous appearances: 1
Best finish: Group stage
2023 result: Did not compete
World Cup qualification: Nil
Fun fact: Vietnam's previous appearance at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup was in 2015
Photos: beachsoccer.com, AFC
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