Pakistan’s journey in their debut campaign of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 qualifiers will begin with a challenging group-stage campaign after the draw for the regional qualifiers was confirmed.
Pakistan has been placed in Group D alongside Iraq, Chinese Taipei, and group hosts Saudi Arabia—some of the most established names on the continent.
The qualifiers, which will be held from September 20 to 24, 2025, will see 31 teams, including Pakistan, vying for one of 16 coveted spots at the tournament finals. Only eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams will qualify, alongside host nation Indonesia, for the 18th edition of the continental championship set to take place from January 27 to February 7, 2026.
Pakistan will need to finish top of the group or be among the seven best runners-up across all groups to advance to the finals. With Saudi Arabia enjoying home advantage and Iraq ranked higher in the region, the Green Shirts will need to deliver standout performances across all three matches.
Pakistan’s futsal development has been picking up pace in recent years, with an increasing pool of players transitioning from grassroots to national levels. However, competing in a group hosted by one of the stronger West Asian teams, and with Iraq’s well-drilled unit in the mix, the path to Indonesia 2026 is anything but straightforward.
Still, Pakistan’s inclusion in the qualifiers is another important step toward regional relevance. A good showing in September could not only push them closer to qualification but also cement their place in Asia’s growing futsal ecosystem.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Kuwait (hosts), Australia, Mongolia, India |
| B | Thailand (hosts), Korea Republic, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam |
| C | Japan, Tajikistan (hosts), Macau, Cambodia |
| D | Iraq, Saudi Arabia (hosts), Chinese Taipei, Pakistan |
| E | Vietnam, Lebanon, China PR (hosts), Hong Kong, China |
| F | Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic (hosts), Timor-Leste, Palestine |
| G | Iran, Malaysia (hosts), UAE, Bangladesh |
| H | Afghanistan, Myanmar (hosts), Maldives |
As Pakistan prepares for its September qualifiers, the focus will now shift to squad selection, tactical preparation, and maximizing every opportunity to surprise in what promises to be a tightly contested group.