A file photo of a Kuwaiti player fighting for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 18: Kuwait will kick off its AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers tomorrow against  India at 8:00 PM at Al-Nasr Club Hall. The match marks the start of Group A, which Kuwait is hosting from September 20 to 24. Earlier, Australia will take on Mongolia at 4:00 PM at the same venue.

Spanish coach Bruno Garcia has finalized a 14-player squad: Khaled Anwar, Fahad Al-Khawari, Salman Al-Baijan, Mohammed Al-Ajmi, Abdullah Al-Mousawi, Najeeb Adel, Mohammed Al-Mansour, Saleh Al-Fadel, Abdulaziz Bourashed, Nasser Al-Alban, Mohammed Al-Suwailem, Ali Salmeen, Abdul Latif Al-Abbasi, and Abdulaziz Al-Sarraj.

The eight participating groups will see the winners qualify directly, along with the seven best second-placed teams, to join host Indonesia in the finals scheduled for January 2026.

Futsal National Teams Director Habib expressed confidence in the team, praising its young talents as key to Kuwait’s future in the sport. He noted that the coaching staff’s preparation program aims not only for success in the Asian Cup but also as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Futsal World Cup.

Habib urged fans to support the “Blues” in their opener against India, highlighting the importance of fan encouragement in boosting player morale during this crucial continental campaign.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff