FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Iran are joined by Oman and Japan in the Finals with all three seeking to become the first side from the continent to land the biggest prize on sand, so join the-AFC.com as we take a closer look at each group.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Group A
Japan will be favourites to advance from a group that features two teams making their debuts.
The East Asian side will be determined to bounce back after a disappointing AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 Thailand 2025 campaign which saw the three-time champions having to settle for a third-placed finish.
Seychelles
Previous Appearances: 0
How they got there: Hosts
Belarus
Previous Appearances: 3
Best finish: Fourth (2024)
2024 result: Fourth
How they got there: Group 1 runners-up of the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Guatemala
Previous Appearances: 0
How they got there: 2025 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship runners-up
Japan
Previous Appearances: 12
Best finish: Runners-up (2021)
2024 result: Quarter-finals
How they got there: AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 third place
May 1: Guatemala v Japan (15:00, UTC+4)
May 1: Seychelles v Belarus (19:00, UTC+4)
May 3: Japan v Belarus (15:00, UTC+4)
May 3: Seychelles v Guatemala (19:00, UTC+4)
May 5: Belarus v Guatemala (15:00, UTC+4)
May 5: Japan v Seychelles (19:00, UTC+4)
May 1: Seychelles v Belarus (19:00, UTC+4)
May 3: Japan v Belarus (15:00, UTC+4)
May 3: Seychelles v Guatemala (19:00, UTC+4)
May 5: Belarus v Guatemala (15:00, UTC+4)
May 5: Japan v Seychelles (19:00, UTC+4)
Group B
Two-time champions Portugal will be Iran’s toughest opponents but the Central Asian side will be confident of not only topping the group but also winning the world title for the first time.
Third in 2017 and 2024, Iran will be bolstered by their performance in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 where a swashbuckling performance saw them lifting the continental title for a record fourth time.
Mauritania
Previous Appearances: 0
How they got there: 2024 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations runners-up
IR Iran
Previous Appearances: 8
Best finish: Third (2017, 2024)
2024 result: Semi-finals
How they got there: AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 champions
Portugal
Previous Appearances: 11
Best finish: Champions (2015, 2019)
2024 result: Quarter-finals
How they got there: Group 2 winners of the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Paraguay
Previous Appearances: 5
Best finish: Quarter-finals
2024 result: Did not qualify
How they got there: 2025 Copa America of Beach Soccer runners-up
May 1: Portugal v Paraguay (16:30, UTC+4)
May 1: Mauritania v IR Iran (20:30, UTC+4)
May 3: Paraguay v IR Iran (16:30, UTC+4)
May 3: Mauritania v Portugal (20:30, UTC+4)
May 5: IR Iran v Portugal (16:30, UTC+4)
May 5: Paraguay v Mauritania (20:30, UTC+4)
Group C
Spain and Tahiti will consider themselves as favourites to take the quarter-finals spots from Group C.
Both have previously come close to lifting the trophy with Spain emerging runners-up in 2013 while Tahiti were twice denied in the final.
Spain
Previous Appearances: 9
Best finish: Runners-up (2013)
2024 result: Group stage
How they got there: Group 2 runners-up of the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Senegal
Previous Appearances: 9
Best finish: Fourth (2021)
2024 result: Group stage
How they got there: 2024 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations champions
Chile
Previous Appearances: 0
How they got there: Third in 2025 Copa America of Beach Soccer
Tahiti
Previous Appearances: 7
Best finish: Runners-up (2015, 2017)
2024 result: Quarter-finals
How they got there: 2024 OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup champions
May 2: Chile v Tahiti (16:30, UTC+4)
May 2: Spain v Senegal (20:30, UTC+4)
May 4: Tahiti v Senegal (16:30, UTC+4)
May 4: Spain v Chile (20:30, UTC+4)
May 6: Senegal v Chile (16:30, UTC+4)
May 6: Tahiti v Spain (20:30, UTC+4)
Group D
Oman’s dream is to advance past the knockout stage for the first time and a runners-up finish in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 will serve as a confidence booster.
The West Asian side, however, will have to be at their best as standing in their way are defending champions Brazil and three-time runners-up Italy. El Salvador will also be tough opponents.
Brazil
Previous Appearances: 12
Best finish: Champions (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017, 2024)
2024 result: Champions
How they got there: 2025 Copa America of Beach Soccer champions
Italy
Previous Appearances: 9
Best finish: Runners-up (2008, 2019, 2024)
2024 result: Runners-up
How they got there: Group 1 winners of the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (UEFA)
El Salvador
Previous Appearances: 5
Best finish: Fourth (2011)
2024 result: Did not qualify
How they got there: 2025 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship champions
Oman
Previous Appearances: 5
Best finish: Group stage
2024 result: Group stage
How they got there: AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 runners-up
May 2: Italy v Oman (15:00, UTC+4)
May 2: Brazil v El Salvador (19:00, UTC+4)
May 4: Oman v El Salvador (15:00, UTC+4)
May 4: Brazil v Italy (19:00, UTC+4)
May 6: El Salvador v Italy (15:00, UTC+4)
May 6: Oman v Brazil (19:00, UTC+4)
Photo: FIFA via Getty Images
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