Since the AFC Futsal Asian Cup began in 1999, it has been very difficult for Southeast Asian teams to reach the final. So far, only two teams from Southeast Asia have managed to do it: Thailand national futsal team and Indonesia national futsal team.
Thailand reached the final three times, in 2008, 2012, and 2024. Indonesia then made history by reaching the final for the first time in 2026.
Unfortunately, all of those finals ended the same way. Both Thailand and Indonesia finished as runners-up.
Thailand lost 4–0 to Iran national futsal team in the 2008 final, then suffered a 6–1 defeat against Japan national futsal team in 2012. In 2024, Thailand were beaten again by Iran, this time 4–1. Indonesia came very close in 2026, but lost to Iran in a penalty shootout, 5(4)–5(5), after a draw in normal time.
Even though Iran and Japan continue to dominate, there is still a positive sign. In the last two tournaments, a Southeast Asian team has reached the final. This shows that the level of futsal in Southeast Asia has clearly improved and is now among the best in Asia.
No champions yet.
Maybe not today, but one day.
Looking ahead to the 2028 AFC Futsal Asian Cup, the big question remains:
Can a Southeast Asian team finally break the dominance of Iran and Japan?
