Malaysia head coach Addie Azwan Zainal has confirmed the final list of 14 players entrusted to carry the nation’s hopes at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from January 27 to February 7, 2026.
The 46-year-old tactician, who recently took over the reins from Rakphol Sainetngam, has largely retained the core of the squad that delivered bronze at the 2025 SEA Games in Nonthaburi, Thailand, with 11 players from that campaign keeping their places.
Three players miss out this time, namely goalkeepers Zainulzahin Sinuan, Razin Rahim and Syahir Iqbal Khan Akbar Khan, with the latter sidelined due to an ACL knee injury.
In their place, Addie Azwan has injected fresh blood by calling up Syawal Sabaruddin, Muhamad Norakmal Norizal and Muhammad Aidil Zakwan Zaidi. Both Norakmal and Aidil were part of the Malaysia U-19 squad that finished third at the ASEAN U-19 Futsal Championship 2025, underlining the coach’s faith in emerging talent alongside seasoned campaigners.
The squad sees strong representation from Johor Darul Ta’zim and Selangor FC, while Terengganu FC and Pahang Rangers FC also contribute key personnel as Malaysia look to make a long-awaited breakthrough on the Asian stage.
List of the final squad of Malaysia National Futsal Team for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026
Goalkeepers
Syaifuddin Syukri (Selangor FC)
Syawal Sabaruddin (Selangor FC)
Fixo
Firdaus Ambiah (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Aidil Zakwan Zaidi (Selangor FC)
Harith Na’im (Pahang Rangers FC)
Ala
Danial Abdul Dain (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Saad Sani (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Ridzwan Bakri (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Faris Johan (Selangor FC)
Khairul Effendy (Selangor FC)
Norakmal Norizal (Pahang Rangers FC)
Pivot
Mohamad Awalluddin (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Ekmal Shahrin (Johor Darul Ta’zim)
Universal
Shahrul Niezam (Terengganu FC)
Addie Azwan will be assisted by Muizuddin Haris as assistant head coach and Firdaus Razali as goalkeeping coach, while FAM Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee member Rafiuddin Gulistan has been appointed as team manager for the tournament.
At the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, 16 teams are divided into four groups, with Malaysia drawn into Group D. The Harimau Malaya futsal squad will play their first two group matches at the Jakarta International Velodrome, facing Iran on Wednesday, January 28 and Afghanistan on Friday, January 30, before concluding group action against Saudi Arabia at the Indonesia Arena on Sunday, February 1.
Should Malaysia finish among the top two in Group D, they will advance to the quarter-finals on February 3, where they will meet one of the top two teams from Group C, which features Japan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Australia. The semi-finals are scheduled for February 5, with the final set for February 7.
Historically, the tournament has been a tough arena for Malaysia. The national futsal side failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Kuwait and 2024 edition in Thailand, and in 12 previous appearances since 1999, Malaysia have yet to progress beyond the group stage.
Credit Photo : FAM
