Iran coach Shamsaei confirms final squad for Futsal Asian Cup
Head coach Vahid Shamsaei has unveiled Iran’s final 14-man squad for the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Iran opens its bid for a record-extending 14th title against Malaysia in Group D on Wednesday. Shamsaei’s team will then face Saudi Arabia on Friday before closing the group stage against Afghanistan – coached by Iranian Majid Mortezaei – two days later at the Jakarta International Velodrome.
This will be the third meeting between Iran and Afghanistan at a major tournament in less than two years. Iran won 3-1 at the 2024 Asian Cup but drew 2-2 at the Islamic Solidarity Games last November in Riyadh.
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Nine players from the current roster were part of the squad that lifted the Asian trophy in Thailand two years ago, courtesy of a 4-1 victory over the host in the final. Meanwhile, Mahdi Rostamiha, Mahdi Mahdikhani, Amirhossein Gholami, and Hossein Sabzi will make their debuts at the flagship continental event.
Despite a hampered preparation that saw two friendlies called off in recent weeks, Shamsaei’s men will be looking to build on their commanding ISG campaign in Riyadh, where they defeated African powerhouse Morocco 5-0 in the final.
The following is Iran’s 14-man squad for the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup:
Goalkeepers: Baqer Mohammadi, Mahdi Rostamiha
Sweepers: Mohammad-Hossein Derakhshani, Amirhossein Gholami, Hossein Sabzi
Right wingers: Masoud Yousef, Moslem Oladqobad, Mahdi Karimi
Left wingers: Salar Aqapour, Ali Khalilvand, Mahdi Mahdikhani
Pivots: Hossein Tayyebi, Saeid Ahmadabbasi, Behrouz Azimi.