TEHRANTIMES - Iran will play the Philippines in its opening match of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers.

The Iranian outfit is scheduled to face the Philippines in Group D on January 22 at the Katara Beach in Doha, Qatar.

The Persians will play Iraq and China respectively in the following days.

A total of 16 teams divided into four groups of four.

The top sides in each group in Doha will qualify for the semi-finals.

The two finalists will secure berths at the finals in Tahiti while the third spot will be given to the winner of the 3rd-4th place play-off winner.

Groups
Group A: Qatar, Oman, Australia, Afghanistan
Group B: Japan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Thailand
Group C: United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia
Group D: Iran, China, Iraq, the Philippines