The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Sunday confirmed that it will host Bangladesh for a series of three One Day International (ODI) matches from November 06 – 11 in the United Arab Emirates.

The three-match ODI series will begin on the 6th of November, with the 2nd and 3rd ODIs scheduled to be played on the 9th and 11th of November, respectively. The exact venue is yet to be finalized.

These three ODIs, along with three T20Is and two Tests, were originally part of Afghanistan’s Future Tour Program (FTP) and scheduled for July-August this year. However, the series was postponed due to extreme heat in the UAE and India, where ACB usually hosts its home events, ACB said in a statement.

Following extensive discussions, both boards have agreed to proceed with just the ODI leg, which will be crucial in both teams' preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy which is set to take place in Pakistan in February next year, the statement said.

Afghanistan recently secured a historic 2-1 series victory over South Africa and are set to tour Zimbabwe in December for an all-format series against the home side.

FIFA will launch an exciting new club tournament next year that will feature the world’s best 32 teams from the six international football confederations.

This new club competition - the FIFA Club World Cup 202 - will make its debut at a total of 12 stadiums across the United States with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey.

The tournament will kick off on June 15 and end on July 13 next year.

This global event will bring together the most successful club sides from each of the six international confederations: AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA.

A total of 12 venues will be used to host the 63 matches which will be played across the United States.

FIFA confirmed the 12 stadiums on Saturday. These are:

MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), GEODIS Park (Nashville), Camping World Stadium (Orlando), Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Lumen Field (Seattle), and Audi Field (Washington, D.C.).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement in Central Park, New York and said: “Football is the most popular sport on the planet, and in 2025 a new era for club football will kick off when FIFA stages the greatest, most inclusive and merit-based global club competition right here in the United States.” 

“The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature 12 fantastic stadiums where a new chapter in football’s global history will be written by great players from the 32 best clubs in the world,” Infantino continued. 

“This new FIFA competition is the only true example in worldwide club football of real solidarity and inclusivity, allowing the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America in an incredible new World Cup which will impact enormously the growth of club football and talent globally,” he said.

With the draw set for December, just two of the 32 teams are still to be confirmed: one from South America, the other representing the host country. 

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and how do they qualify?

• A total of 32 teams will compete in the tournament, with places distributed as follows between the international football confederations.
• Africa - 4 CAF teams. Three via champions pathway (CAF Champions League) and one via ranking pathway.
• Asia - 4 AFC teams. Three via champions pathway (AFC Champions League) and one via ranking pathway.
• Europe - 12 UEFA teams. Four via champions pathway (UEFA Champions League) and eight via ranking pathway.
• North and Central America, Caribbean - 4 Concacaf teams. All via champions pathway (Concacaf Champions Cup).
• Oceania - 1 OFC team. Via ranking pathway.
• South America - 6 CONMEBOL teams. Four via champions pathway (CONMEBOL Libertadores) and two via ranking pathway.
• Host country - 1 team.

Which teams have qualified?

• Al Ahly (EGY) – 2020/21, 2022/23 and 2023/24 CAF Champions League
• Wydad (MAR) – 2021/22 CAF Champions League
• ES Tunis (TUN) - CAF ranking pathway
• Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) - CAF ranking pathway
• Al Hilal (KSA) – 2021 AFC Champions League
• Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) – 2022 AFC Champions League
• Al Ain (UAE) - 2023/24 AFC Champions League
• Ulsan HD FC (KOR) - AFC ranking pathway
• Chelsea (ENG) – 2020/21 UEFA Champions League
• Real Madrid (ESP) – 2021/22 and 2023/24 UEFA Champions League
• Manchester City (ENG) – 2022/23 UEFA Champions League
• Bayern Munich (GER) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Inter Milan (ITA) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Porto (POR) - UEFA ranking pathway
• Benfica (POR) – UEFA ranking pathway
• Borussia Dortmund (GER) - UEFA ranking pathway
• Juventus (ITA) - UEFA ranking pathway
• Atletico Madrid (ESP) - UEFA ranking pathway
• FC Salzburg (AUT) - UEFA ranking pathway
• Monterrey (MEX) – 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Seattle Sounders (USA) – 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Club Leon (MEX) – 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Pachuca (MEX) - 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup
• Auckland City (NZL) – OFC ranking pathway
• Palmeiras (BRA) – 2021 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• Flamengo (BRA) – 2022 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• Fluminense (BRA) – 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores
• River Plate (ARG) - CONMEBOL ranking pathway
• Boca Juniors (ARG) - CONMEBOL ranking pathway

What is the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 format?

A group stage composed of eight groups of four teams per group playing in a single-game round-robin format.

The top two teams per group progress to the round of 16.

A direct single-match knockout stage from the round of 16 to the final.

No third-place play-off.

Venezuela pulled off one of the biggest shocks in FIFA Futsal World Cup history on Wednesday night in Uzbekistan when they knocked out two-time champions, Spain, 2-1.

Paraguay in turn came from behind during their match to down Afghanistan in extra-time 3-1.

Afghanistan’s only goal was scored by Hamid Hossaini.

Venezuela and Paraguay have now secured their spots in the quarter-finals.

Paraguay had however been en route to being victims of the spirited Afghanistan team but rallied at the 11th hour to pull off their win.

Paraguay will next play the winner of the Thailand-France match, while Venezuela will encounter Ukraine.

“It’s hard to even describe these emotions. It’s my fourth World Cup, it could be my last. I’m really, really happy. But it hasn’t finished and we want more: to be among the best four teams in the world,” said
Javier Adolfo Salas, Paraguay pivot, after the match.

Thursday’s lineup will see Morocco face Iran this evening followed by the Portugal vs Kazakhstan match.

Futsal fans across Afghanistan can tune in on Thursday to watch the match on Ariana Television live from 5.30pm.