The qualifying round featured 31 teams divided into eight groups. Teams played a round-robin format, with the eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams advancing to the final tournament. Seven groups have concluded, with Group D, hosted by Saudi Arabia, taking place from 18/10 to 22/10.

Vietnam qualified from 20/9 to 24/9, topping Group E. The team defeated Hong Kong 9-1, hosts China 7-2, and Lebanon 4-0.

Vietnam celebrates their 4-0 victory over Lebanon in the final match of Group E of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers at Linping Stadium, China on 24/9/2025. Photo: AFC

Vietnam celebrates their 4-0 victory over Lebanon in the final match of Group E of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers at Linping Stadium, China on 24/9/2025. Photo: AFC

Thailand advanced as the winner of Group B on home soil. Southeast Asia's top team defeated Brunei 15-1 and Bahrain 4-0 before drawing 2-2 with South Korea. Thailand finished with the same seven points as South Korea but had a superior goal difference (+18 compared to +5).

Malaysia, hosting Group G, defeated UAE 1-0 and Bangladesh 7-1 before losing 0-4 to Iran. They qualified as the sixth-best second-placed team.

Myanmar also has a chance to advance, currently ranked seventh among the second-placed teams. However, they must await the results of Group D, which includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Taiwan, and Pakistan. Coach Pattaya Piamkum's team needs the second-placed team in Group D to finish with a record inferior to their three points, -4 goal difference, and seven goals scored.

Thailand (in blue) drew 2-2 with South Korea in the final match of Group B of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers at Nonthaburi Stadium, Thailand on 24/9/2025. Photo: FAT

Thailand (in blue) drew 2-2 with South Korea in the final match of Group B of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers at Nonthaburi Stadium, Thailand on 24/9/2025. Photo: FAT

In addition to Vietnam and Thailand, the other five group winners are Australia (Group A), Japan (C), Kyrgyzstan (F), Iran (G), and Afghanistan (H). The five other best second-placed teams are Kuwait (A), South Korea (B), Uzbekistan (F), Tajikistan (C), and Lebanon (E).

Vietnam is one of five teams with a perfect record in the qualifiers, along with Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Coach Diego Giustozzi's team scored 20 goals, equal to Australia and fewer than Thailand and Japan (21), and Iran (26). The only team to keep a clean sheet was Iran. Japan and Afghanistan conceded one goal each, followed by South Korea (2), Thailand, and Vietnam (3).

The 14 qualified teams are mostly familiar names. Iran, Japan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan have participated in all 18 tournaments. Following them are Kyrgyzstan (17), South Korea (16), Kuwait (14), Tajikistan, Lebanon, Malaysia (13), Indonesia (11), Australia (9), Vietnam (8), and Afghanistan (2).

Iran is the only team with a perfect record, scoring the most goals (26) and keeping a clean sheet in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo: FAM

Iran is the only team with a perfect record, scoring the most goals (26) and keeping a clean sheet in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo: FAM

The biggest surprise in the qualifiers was Thailand's 2-2 draw with South Korea. Thailand is currently ranked 11th by FIFA, 62 places above South Korea. Uzbekistan (19th) also lost 2-3 to Kyrgyzstan (49th).

After four days of competition across seven groups, 282 goals were scored in 39 matches. Iran scored the most (26). The biggest win was Thailand's 15-1 victory over Brunei.

The final tournament will take place from 27/1 to 7/2/2026. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not yet announced the draw schedule. The two venues for the tournament are Indonesia Arena and Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta.

The format remains 16 teams divided into four groups. The teams will play a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. This year's tournament will not serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Futsal World Cup.

Iran leads with 13 Asian titles. The West Asian representative was the first champion in 1999 and is the current title holder. The other four titles belong to Japan in 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2022.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand's best result is runner-up in 2008, 2012, and 2024. Vietnam finished fourth in 2016. Indonesia reached the quarterfinals in 2022, while Malaysia has never progressed beyond the group stage.

Hieu Luong