Indian men’s futsal team to play two friendlies against Lebanon in Beirut

NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s futsal team will play two friendly matches against Lebanon in Beirut on September 13 and 15 as part of their preparations for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled for later this month, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Led by Iranian head coach Reza Kordi, the Futsal Tigers held a 20-day camp in Bengaluru after the conclusion of the AIFF Futsal Club Championship last month. India, ranked 135th in the world, arrived in the Lebanese capital on Friday and will play the first friendly against the 54th-ranked hosts on Saturday at the Al Sadaka Sporting Complex.

India drawn into Group A along with host Kuwait, Australia and Mongolia in the Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

It is a strong group.

India Futsal men’s team is ranked 135 in the world and it is going to be India’s only second participation in the AFC Futsal Qualification… pic.twitter.com/NDBxtRXn1M

— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) June 26, 2025

After the two friendlies, India will travel from Lebanon to Kuwait for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, where they will face the hosts on September 20, Australia on September 22 and Mongolia on September 24, in Group A. The group winners and the seven best runners-up across all eight groups will qualify for the final tournament in Indonesia next year. This will be the Futsal Tigers’ second attempt to qualify for the Asian Cup after the 2024 qualifiers.

India’s squad for the men’s futsal friendlies against Lebanon:
Goalkeepers: Aleef Rahman Mollah, Ozen Vivian Silva, Vishal Dube.
Fixo: Aman Navalkumar Shah, Lalsangkima.
Ala: Anmol Adhikari, Bijoy Gusai, K Roluahpuia, Seaon D’souza.
Pivot: David Laltlansanga, Fredsan Marshall, Jonathan Lalrawngbawla, Mahip Adhikari, Nikhil Mali.
Head coach: Reza Kordi
Assistant coach: Hassan Khodabandehloo bin Abolfazl
Goalkeeping coach: Veerababu Sivaneni. (ANI)