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Asia will be represented by four teams at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai.
The continent’s best will have their eyes on the title, having impressed in previous editions of the global tournament.
Join AFC Media as we shine the spotlight on Asia’s representatives.
United Arab Emirates
Previous appearances: 7
Best achievement: Group stage
2021 Result: Group stage
How they qualified: Hosts
Group A challengers: Egypt, United States, Italy
Fixtures: v Egypt (February 15); v United States (February 17); v Italy (February 19)
United Arab Emirates will be determined to use home ground advantage to advance to the knockout stage for the first time.
Fourth in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023, the UAE will feel confident of their chances with two-time runners-up Italy likely to be their most challenging hurdle.
UAE, however, will reckon this is their best chance to make the knockout stage, with the top two teams to advance to the quarterfinals.
Iran
Previous appearances: 7
Best achievement: Third place in 2017
2021 Result: Did not qualify
How they qualified: Champions of AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023
Group B challengers: Spain, Tahiti, Argentina
Fixtures: v Spain (February 15); v Argentina (February 17); v Tahiti (February 19)
Iran will make their return to the tournament after missing the last two editions and they will be determined to impress, having finished third in 2017.
They enter the tournament as the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023 champions and will not be fazed by the prospect of having to play Spain, Argentina and Tahiti.
Japan
Previous appearances: 11
Best achievement: Runners-up
2021 result: Runners-up
How they qualified: Runners-up of AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023
Group C challengers: Senegal, Belarus, Colombia
Fixtures: v Colombia (February 16); v Belarus (February 18); v Senegal (February 20)
One of two teams to have featured in every edition of the tournament, Japan will aim to go one better after emerging runners-up in 2021.
Progress to the knockout stage looks well within reach, with Japan determined to make up after losing to Iran in the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023 final.
Oman
Previous appearances: 4
Best achievement: Group stage
2021 result: Group stage
How they qualified: Third place finishers at AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2023
Group D challengers: Brazil, Mexico, Portugal
Fixtures: v Brazil (February 16); v Mexico (February 18); v Portugal (February 20)
Oman could not have asked for a more difficult start, with five-time champions Brazil their Matchday One opponents.
The West Asian side, however, will relish the chance of taking on the South Americans and will feel confident of their chances against Mexico and Portugal.
Key dates
Group Stage: February 15-20
Quarterfinals: February 22
Semifinals: February 24
Final: February 25
Tournament tickets are available to purchase via FIFA.com/tickets/beachsoccer .
