A record number of 13 countries have become candidates for FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020, which proves that the value of futsal is now appreciated in many countries. Futsal World Cup finals have been already held twice in Asia, in Taipei in 2004 and in Thailand in 2012.
Among Asian countries, Iran was the first to enhance futsal and has now become a leading nation competing for the final four in the World Cup. Japan follows, Iran and Japan having reigned for the last 14 years. Then Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand or Vietnam have recently become competitive in a rapid pace and are to be closely watched.
AFC member countries as a whole have the population of 4.5 billion, among them even just the population of ASEAN member countries is 620 million, which is more than that of the EU. If this is regarded as the supply source of players / the market, futsal in Asia has got considerable potential and it would be quite realistic to think that Asia could become the leading region in the world.