Afghanistan futsal team beats New Zealand 6-1 at Continental Championship

Afghanistan’s national futsal team secured a 6-1 victory over New Zealand in its final match of the Continental Futsal Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 1‑6, 2026. The win, highlighted by a double from Omid Qanbari and goals from Javad Haidari and Mehran Gholami, gave Afghanistan its sole triumph in the five‑team round‑robin tournament.

The team entered the match after two defeats to hosts Thailand and Vietnam and a 3‑3 draw with Russia, finishing the competition with one win, one draw and two losses. While the result did not advance Afghanistan to later stages, officials said the tournament provided valuable experience against stronger Asian opponents and will aid preparation for future international fixtures.