Previous Appearances: Nil

How they got there: Fourth in AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024

Head Coach: Pairov Vakhidov (TJK)

Fun Fact: Tajikistan qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in their 12th attempt

Group E fixtures: v Morocco (September 16), v Portugal (September 19), v Panama (September 22)

Head coach Pairov Vakhidov will know that Tajikistan are in for a tough competition with defending champions Portugal among those standing in their way.

Vakhidov, however, will drum into his players that they have nothing to lose in their debut appearance at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

They were a revelation in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024, topping Group C ahead of Kyrgyz Republic and defending champions Japan, who failed to advance to the knockout stage and will be absent from the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

A hard-fought 2-1 win over Afghanistan in the quarter-finals confirmed their FIFA Futsal World Cup ticket before losing to Thailand in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals.

Third place eluded them as Uzbekistan proved more clinical from the penalty spot in the playoff but with the experience gained and the chance to appear in the FIFA Futsal World Cup before them, Tajikistan will surely be out to prove that they will more than a handful to their group stage opponents.