Afghanistan’s national football team has begun a six-day training camp to prepare for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifier matches, Afghanistan’s Football Federation said on Saturday. 

The team held its first training on Saturday afternoon in Dubai with the participation of 10 new players, the federation said.

In March 2021, Bangladesh will host Afghanistan, and Afghanistan will host Oman in the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifier matches. 

Fardin Hakimi, the national team’s midfielder, has missed the training camps due to sickness, while Noor Hussain, another midfielder, will also not attended because he is infected with the coronavirus, said the AFF.

Farid Sadat David, a forward, and Adam Najm, another midfielder, were also missed at the camps due to lockdowns in the countries where they reside.

Omran Haidary, Sharif Mohammad and Islamuddin  will not attend the camp due to ongoing matches in the Poland and India leagues.  

Anoush Dastgir, coach of Afghanistan's national football team, has invited ten new players to the training camps from the Afghan Premier League (APL) who distinguished themselves in the 9th season, which was held in 2020.

“These players can shine during this training camp and have the opportunity to wear the national team jersey in the future,” said Dastgir. 

The training camp will continue until December 30 in Dubai.