TEHRAN – Iran’s national beach soccer captain, Mohammadali Mokhtari, has declared his squad fully prepared to make a statement at the 2026 Asian Beach Games, emphasizing their resilience in the face of challenging wartime conditions.

Iran’s campaign kicks off on April 23rd against the UAE in Group B, followed by fixtures against Thailand and Saudi Arabia. The 2026 Asian Beach Games, featuring 14 sports, will be staged in Sanya, China, from April 23rd to 30th.

“Team Melli are primed for the Sanya Games,” Mokhtari asserted in an interview with the Football Federation newspaper. “Months of relentless dedication from every coach and player have gone into this campaign. We’ve been building towards this moment, and we won’t let that effort go to waste.”

The veteran skipper highlighted the unique obstacles the team has overcome. “Following the outbreak of war, our training adapted, shifting to individual and smaller group sessions,” Mokhtari explained. “In beach soccer, staying connected to the sand is paramount. Even a short break impacts performance. Despite the immense difficulties posed by wartime, our commitment to training never wavered.”

Mokhtari underscored the team’s unwavering motivation as they prepare to face elite international competition. “Our opponents have had the advantage of numerous friendlies and tournaments, but we carry the pride of the Iranian people,” he stated. “While the competition will be fierce, make no mistake: no team will find it easy against us. Iran’s beach soccer national team always give their all, and this tournament will be no exception.”