AFC Futsal Asian Cup
The 18th edition of the tournament promises to be a highly charged affair and ahead of the action kicking off, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the Group B teams.
Thailand
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Runners-up (3 times)
2024 record: Runners-up
How they qualified: Group B winners
Fun fact: Thailand have made the knockout stage in their last nine participations.
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Runners-up (3 times)
2024 record: Runners-up
How they qualified: Group B winners
Fun fact: Thailand have made the knockout stage in their last nine participations.
Having thrice finished runners-up, Thailand will be determined to go all the way at Indonesia 2026 and will expect to kick off their campaign with victory against Lebanon on Matchday One.
The disappointment of losing the final to Islamic Republic of Iran two years ago will spur Thailand to go one better with Muhammad Osamanmusa spearheading their challenge after a qualifying campaign where he emerged the top scorer with six goals.
Head coach Rakphol Sainetngam, who returns to the national team fold after guiding Malaysia to the Finals, will have his work cut out to ensure Thailand stay among the upper echelons of Asian futsal.
The disappointment of losing the final to Islamic Republic of Iran two years ago will spur Thailand to go one better with Muhammad Osamanmusa spearheading their challenge after a qualifying campaign where he emerged the top scorer with six goals.
Head coach Rakphol Sainetngam, who returns to the national team fold after guiding Malaysia to the Finals, will have his work cut out to ensure Thailand stay among the upper echelons of Asian futsal.
Vietnam
Previous appearances: 7
Best finish: Quarter-finals (4 times)
2024 record: Quarter-finals
How they qualified: Group E winners
Fun fact: Vietnam have reached the knockout stage in four of their last five participations.
Previous appearances: 7
Best finish: Quarter-finals (4 times)
2024 record: Quarter-finals
How they qualified: Group E winners
Fun fact: Vietnam have reached the knockout stage in four of their last five participations.
An impressive qualifying campaign saw Vietnam top Group E with maximum points, scoring 20 goals and conceding only three in wins over Lebanon, China PR and Hong Kong, China.
Nguyen Thinh Phat and Tu Minh Quang grabbed five and four goals respectively, with both named in the squad for Indonesia 2026.
Head coach Diego Giustozzi will now look to bring that form into the Finals as Vietnam go in search of a first semi-final appearance.
Nguyen Thinh Phat and Tu Minh Quang grabbed five and four goals respectively, with both named in the squad for Indonesia 2026.
Head coach Diego Giustozzi will now look to bring that form into the Finals as Vietnam go in search of a first semi-final appearance.
Kuwait
Previous appearances: 13
Best finish: Fourth (2003, 2014)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: One of best seven runners-up
Fun fact: The side that beat Kuwait in the semi-finals of previous editions have gone on to win the title each time (IR Iran 2003, Japan 2014)
Previous appearances: 13
Best finish: Fourth (2003, 2014)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: One of best seven runners-up
Fun fact: The side that beat Kuwait in the semi-finals of previous editions have gone on to win the title each time (IR Iran 2003, Japan 2014)
Kuwait only narrowly missed out on qualifying directly as Group A winners after a 2-2 draw with Australia in their final group match, which saw the latter finish top with a superior goal difference.
With four goals each in the Qualifiers, Saleh Alfadhel and Abdulaziz Alsarraj will be the ones to look out for as Kuwait eye a first title, with the last of their semi-final appearances achieved 12 years ago.
This will be their third consecutive Finals, having missed the 2016 and 2018 editions. That came after having made 11 straight participations prior.
With four goals each in the Qualifiers, Saleh Alfadhel and Abdulaziz Alsarraj will be the ones to look out for as Kuwait eye a first title, with the last of their semi-final appearances achieved 12 years ago.
This will be their third consecutive Finals, having missed the 2016 and 2018 editions. That came after having made 11 straight participations prior.
Lebanon
Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Quarter-finals (7 times)
2024 record: Did not qualify
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Missing Thailand 2024 broke a run of 12 straight Finals appearances for Lebanon.
Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Quarter-finals (7 times)
2024 record: Did not qualify
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Missing Thailand 2024 broke a run of 12 straight Finals appearances for Lebanon.
A nervy qualifying campaign saw Lebanon start brightly with a 2-1 win against China PR before being held 1-1 by Hong Kong, China.
That left their fate out of their hands but China PR’s 4-0 defeat of Hong Kong, China meant Lebanon - despite losing by the same score to Vietnam - advanced as the group runners-up.
Missing out on Thailand 2024 broke a run of 12 straight Finals appearances and Lebanon will be targeting a strong performance at Indonesia 2026 to mark their return emphatically.
That left their fate out of their hands but China PR’s 4-0 defeat of Hong Kong, China meant Lebanon - despite losing by the same score to Vietnam - advanced as the group runners-up.
Missing out on Thailand 2024 broke a run of 12 straight Finals appearances and Lebanon will be targeting a strong performance at Indonesia 2026 to mark their return emphatically.
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