Afghanistan finalize squad for Maldives Diamond Jubilee Tournament

Afghanistan have finalized their squad for the upcoming Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament set to take place in the Maldives next month, with the Lions of Khorasan naming a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging young talent for the four-nation competition.

The squad includes several key figures of the national team, including Rahmat Akbari, Maziar Kouhyar, Jamshed Achakzai and Sahil Sarwari, as Afghanistan prepare to use the tournament as part of their build-up for future international assignments.

Several overseas-based and younger players have also earned places in the squad, reflecting the coaching staff’s intention to strike a balance between experience and youth while evaluating tactical options ahead of upcoming official competitions.

Officials from the Afghanistan Football Federation described the Maldives tournament as an important preparation opportunity for the national side, particularly in assessing player fitness, improving coordination and testing different tactical combinations in competitive match situations.

Afghanistan’s national team has increasingly relied on foreign-based players in recent years, with many members of the squad currently playing in leagues across Europe, Australia and Asia. Despite years of political instability and limited sporting infrastructure, football remains one of the country’s most followed and celebrated sports.

Nicknamed the Lions of Khorasan, Afghanistan have steadily grown their presence in regional football over the past decade. The nation’s greatest achievement came in 2013 when Afghanistan won the SAFF Championship, a historic triumph that remains a landmark moment in the country’s football history.

The Diamond Jubilee Tournament, scheduled to be held in the Maldives from 1 to 10 June, is expected to provide valuable international exposure for the participating teams while also strengthening sporting ties among South Asian nations. Regional football federations have increasingly emphasized the importance of regular international competitions as teams prepare for future continental and global qualifiers.

The tournament will feature Maldives, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

23 Member Afghanistan squad: Faisal Hamidi, Keyvan Motaqian, Ali Sina Hakimi, Musawar Ahadi, Mustafa Omarkhail, Ahmad Shakib Mehri, Omid Arzoo, Ali Raiz Muradi, Habibullah Askar, Naveed Mahboobi, Ali Reza Panahi, Elias Mansoor, Hamed Momand Rahmat Akbari, Jamshid Achakzai, Sahel Sarwari, Amin Nabizada, Omid Mousawi, Maziar Kouhyar, Omid Popalzay, Yaser Safi, Ramin Fazli and Mahboob Hanifi.