With the continent chasing a first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup winner, the-AFC.com profiles one key player from each Asian team.
Saeid Ahmadabbasi (IR Iran)
AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 – Goals: 8; Assist: 1
FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance – 1 (2021, 4 goals)
Honours – AFC Futsal Asian Cup: Champions (2018, 2024), Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games: Champions (2017)
One of the standout stars of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024, Saeid Ahmadabbasi comes into the FIFA Futsal World Cup with sky-high expectations.

Scoring an impressive eight goals and registering an assist, Ahmadabbasi not only helped Iran maintain their dominance in Asia but also claimed the AFC Futsal Asian Cup MVP and Yili Top Scorer awards.

A lethal finisher, Ahmadabbasi’s performances will be pivotal to Iran’s ambitions at Uzbekistan 2024.
Muhammad Osamanmusa (Thailand)
AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 – Goals: 3; Assist: 1
FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance – 1 (2021)
Honours – AFC Futsal Asian Cup: Runners-up (2024); AFF Futsal Championships: Champions (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022; SEA Games: Gold (2017, 2021)

Thailand’s hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of Muhammad Osamanmusa, the forward who played a key role in their impressive run to the final of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024.

Known for his pace and finishing, Osamanmusa will need to fire on all cylinders for Thailand to make an impact at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. A key playmaker, Osamanmusa has the ability to break down defences and provide goals when needed.
Akbar Usmonov (Uzbekistan)
AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 – Goals: 3; Assist: 1
FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance – 1 (2021)

Akbar Usmonov will be a key figure for the hosts, having scored three goals and provided one assist in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024, where he led Uzbekistan to a third place finish.

Usmonov is no stranger to the global stage, having already made an appearance at the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup and his experience will be vital as Uzbekistan look to surpass their achievement of reaching the Round of 16 in the previous edition.
Samandar Rizomov (Tajikistan)
AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 – Goals: 3; Assist 1
FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance – Nil

The only player to net a hat-trick in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 was Tajikistan’s Samandar Rizomov, who achieved that feat in the third place playoff against Uzbekistan.

Despite not being able to steer his side to victory after losing 3-1 on penalties, Rizomov will be the player the tournament debutants will be counting on at Uzbekistan 2024.
Mehran Gholami (Afghanistan)
AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 – Goals: 5; Assists: 2
FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance – Nil

Mehran Gholami and his Afghanistan teammates announced their arrival on the continental stage with some impressive performances at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024.

Gholami showed his class in their playoff fixture against Kyrgyz Republic when he doubled Afghanistan’s lead with a solo effort before having a hand in their third goal to ensure the Central Asian side confirmed their Uzbekistan 2024 ticket with a 5-3 win.

Gholami finished with five goals and two assists, underlining Afghanistan’s status as a rising futsal nation and giving them belief that they can challenge the best teams in the world in their first FIFA Futsal World Cup outing.