TEHRAN – Iran’s men’s handball team beat Kazakhstan 42-20 in the Asian Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament on Saturday.

Iran, who had lost to Japan 25-20 and defeated Kuwait 29-28, will play Bahrain in Group B on Tuesday.

The competition will take place between 18 and 28 October, with two round-robin groups in the preliminary round, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the semi-finals, extending their hopes for the coveted Paris 2024 Olympic Games ticket.

The semi-finals are due to take place on 26 October, while the final and the bronze-medal match are scheduled for 28 October. The winners of the Asian Men's Olympic Qualification Tournament will progress directly to Paris 2024, while the runners-up secure a place in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, due to take place in March 2024.

Only two sides have secured their places for the men’s tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games so far – hosts France and world champions Denmark. The next tickets will be handed at the 2023 Pan American Games, at the EHF EURO 2024 and at the 2024 CAHB African Men’s Handball Championship, with the latter two competitions due to take place in January 2024.