(Sports Correspondent:Â Imran Sohail)
Pakistan to Make Historic Debut in AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers
Pakistan is set to make a landmark entry into the world of international futsal as the national team prepares to participate in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers for the very first time.
The upcoming qualifiers will feature 32 nations, including Pakistan, and the official draw will take place on June 26 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The qualifiers are scheduled to be held from September 20 to 24 in a centralised league format.
Group Structure and Seeding
The 32 participating teams will be divided into eight groups — seven groups of four and one group of three. Pakistan has been placed in Pot 4, which consists of debutant or lower-ranked teams. This placement is based on the latest FIFA Futsal Men’s World Rankings, where Pakistan currently remains unranked.
This tournament presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan to gain valuable international experience and start earning ranking points, which are essential for long-term growth in the global futsal scene.
Qualification Pathway to 2026 Finals
From each group, the top team, along with the seven best second-placed sides, will qualify for the 18th edition of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Finals, which will be hosted in Indonesia in January 2026.
Pakistan will be up against strong opposition, with futsal powerhouses such as Iran (World No. 5), Thailand (11), Japan (13), and Uzbekistan (23) leading the seeded teams. These nations have consistently participated in every edition of the tournament since it began in 1999.
Despite being newcomers, Pakistan’s futsal team is eager to make a positive impact and lay the groundwork for future success on the continental stage.
Anticipation Builds for Group Stage Draw
The group draw will be held at 3 PM (Malaysia time) on June 26, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see which teams Pakistan will face in their debut campaign.
Seeding Pots for the 2025 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers
Hosts Pot
-
Thailand (11), Kuwait (40), Tajikistan (44), Kyrgyz Republic (48)
-
Saudi Arabia (50), Myanmar (56), Malaysia (76), China PR (79)
Pot 1
-
Iran (5), Thailand (11), Japan (13), Uzbekistan (23)
-
Vietnam (31), Afghanistan (33), Kuwait (40), Iraq (41)
Pot 2
-
Tajikistan (44), Kyrgyz Republic (48), Saudi Arabia (50), Australia (52)
-
Lebanon (53), Myanmar (56), Korea Republic (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, China (118), Brunei Darussalam (119), Palestine (121), Cambodia (125)
-
India (135), Bangladesh (unranked), Pakistan (unranked)
