Bangladesh Futsal Team Gets Iranian Architect: Saeid Khodarahmi Appointed to Build National Squad for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
In a important move to establish a national presence in the fast-paced world of futsal, Bangladesh has appointed Iranian coach Saeid Khodarahmi to spearhead the creation of its inaugural National Futsal Team. Khodarahmi, a seasoned coach with extensive international experience, will commence his mission immediately, focusing on preparing the squad for the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. These crucial matches are slated to take place across eight Asian nations between September 20 and 24.
The Bangladesh Football federation (BFF) officially announced KhodarahmiS appointment on July 23, securing his services for an initial three-month term. the 59-year-old tactician was formally introduced to the media at a press conference held at the BFF headquarters on Sunday, shortly after his arrival in Dhaka. Khodarahmi expressed his commitment to developing the sport in Bangladesh, stating, “I think today futsal was born in your country… It’s a tough duty. I will try my level best to develop Bangladesh’s futsal.” His previous coaching tenure includes a five-year stint with the Myanmar national team.
The foundation for the national team is already being laid. Following an extensive selection process, the BFF initially narrowed down a pool of 630 aspiring players to 53 during a two-day trial held on July 20 and 21. These trials where meticulously conducted by a panel of experienced coaches, including Alfaz Ahmed, Saifuzzaman Shamim, Rashed Chowdhury, and coaches from the BFF Elite Football Academy.
Khodarahmi’s immediate priority is to further refine this talent pool. He will oversee a two-day trial, commencing on Tuesday at the Shaheed Captain Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium, with the objective of selecting a final 24-player squad. This selected group will then undergo rigorous training before Khodarahmi finalizes a 14-member contingent to represent Bangladesh in the group-stage qualifiers.
bangladesh has been drawn into Group G of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. Their campaign will kick off against formidable opponents Iran, the reigning champions and a dominant force in the sport with 13 titles, on September 20. The team will then face the host nation, Malaysia, on September 22, followed by a clash against the United arab Emirates (UAE) on September 24.
The qualifying tournament features a total of 31 national teams, strategically divided into seven groups of four teams and one group comprising three teams. The draw for these qualifiers was conducted in Malaysia on June 25. The ultimate goal for participating nations is to secure a spot in the 18th Futsal Asian Cup, scheduled to be hosted in Indonesia in January 2026. Qualification for the main tournament will be achieved by the eight group winners and the seven best-performing runners-up from across all groups.
