Iranian teams have discovered their group-stage rivals in several disciplines at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with a number of national sides facing demanding draws.
Iran NOC; Tehran: According to the draw
results announced for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Iranian teams were
placed in a range of challenging groups across major team events. In women’s
kabaddi, Iran were drawn in Group A alongside India, Bangladesh and Japan,
while the men’s kabaddi team will compete in Group B against Pakistan,
Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand. In men’s volleyball, Iran were placed in Group B
with Indonesia, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan.
In football, Iran’s U-23 side were drawn in
Group B with China, the United Arab Emirates and North Korea. The men’s water
polo team will also play in Group B, where it is set to face China, Singapore
and South Korea. In handball, Iran were handed one of the tougher assignments,
joining Bahrain, South Korea, Kuwait and Kazakhstan in Group B.
The 20th Asian Games will be held in
Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in September and October 2026, with the draw ceremonies
for various team sports conducted in the presence of officials from the
organizing committee as well as the relevant Asian and international
federations.