The Futsalroos have discovered their AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026™ fate following a draw conducted in host country Indonesia on Wednesday evening.
Australia, who were in Pot 4, were drawn in Group C with Japan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan ahead of the tournament which kicks off in January next year.
They will begin their tournament with the game against Japan, before facing Uzbekistan and then Tajikistan in the final game of the group stage.
The Futsalroos qualified for the showpiece Asian event after finishing top of Group A in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kuwait earlier in 2025. Victories over Mongolia (8-1), India (10-1) and a draw with Kuwait (2-2) secured a place in the continental event in convincing fashion.
It will be the eighth time the Futsalroos have competed in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ and it is their second consecutive appearance in the tournament.
Uzbekistan are familiar opponents for the Australians, having shared the same group at the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Thailand. Despite a strong performance, the Futsalroos narrowly went down 3-2 in their group stage clash.
The squad also recently faced tournament hosts Indonesia in a friendly at Indonesia Arena where the Futsalroos went down 3-1. The match provided valuable experience in local conditions that will serve the players well in preparations for the tournament.
Australia is aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2016. The Futsalroos’ best finish came in 2012 where they reached the semi-final and finished fourth overall. As the AFC Futsal Asian Cup is held every two years, the 2026 edition does not serve as qualification for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which is next held in 2028.
AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ 2026
Japan v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Venue: Indonesia Arena
Kick-off: 3pm (local)/7pm (AEDT)
Australia v Uzbekistan
Date: Friday, 30 January 2026
Venue: Indonesia Arena
Kick-off: 3pm (local)/7pm (AEDT)
Tajikistan v Australia
Date: Sunday, 1 February 2026
Venue: Jakarta International Velodrome
Kick-off: 3pm (local)/7pm (AEDT)
Draw Result
Group A: Indonesia (hosts), Iraq, Kyrgyz Republic, Korea Republic
Group B: Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, Lebanon
Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Australia
Group D: Islam Republic of Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia