Iran is heading to the AFC Beach Soccer Cup 2026 with a clear goal, as Asian rivals prepare to challenge the continent's undisputed beach soccer hegemon.
The competition starts on November 15, 2026, and Iran has set an ambitious task for itself, anticipating confrontations with other Asian teams aiming to dispute Iran's dominance in Asian beach soccer.
Ahead of the highly anticipated AFC Beach Soccer Cup in Thailand 2026, the-afc.com highlights Group B, which promises to be an exciting confrontation.
This group includes the reigning champions Iran, as well as Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. The-afc.com examines the opponents facing the undisputed kings of beach soccer in Asia.
Iran, having won its fourth title in 2025 and surpassing Japan in continental success, is confident in maintaining its status. The team is led by head coach Ali Naderi, and Ali Mirshekari plays in the squad, having been the best player and top scorer of the last tournament, leading the team forward.
The 2026 AFC Beach Soccer Cup will take place in Phang Nga, Thailand. The group stage is scheduled from November 18 to 23, followed by the quarterfinals on November 25 and the semifinals on November 27. The third-place match and the final will be held on November 28.
Iran will begin its journey in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers with a match against Pakistan. The young Persian team is placed in Group D along with Laos, Jordan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The first match will take place on November 11 at the National Stadium of Laos in Vientiane, Laos. Armaghan Ahmadi's team will also play Sri Lanka on November 14, followed by matches against Jordan and Laos on November 17 and November 20, respectively.
A group victory will grant the team the right to participate in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 in Uzbekistan. The qualification tournament starts on November 8 with 35 teams in the 22nd stage.
The teams are divided into seven groups for a centralized single round-robin system, which will last until November 20. Only the winners of these groups will advance to the final stage of the 22nd edition, which will be held in May 2027.
At the final tournament, they will join nine AFC representatives who qualified automatically based on the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 Final Tournament: Australia, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Thirteen teams are participating for the first time: Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Taipei, Guam, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
