Indonesia, Hong Kong to Host Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup with 14 Teams
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 5 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
FIFA announced on Thursday that the inaugural ASEAN Cup will take place from September 24, bringing together 14 national teams across two divisions hosted by Indonesia and Hong Kong. The tournament features all 11 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations alongside three guest participants — Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — in what FIFA President Gianni Infantino described as an effort to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities and strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia .
Key Points
- The top-tier Division 1 will be hosted by Indonesia and features eight teams: hosts Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, split into two groups of four with the group winners meeting in the final on October 5
- Division 2, hosted by Hong Kong, will feature five Southeast Asian nations — Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste — divided into two three-team sections with section winners advancing to a final on October 3
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated the tournament was launched to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities and strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia
- The three guest sides — Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — join the tournament to face ASEAN member nations outside the regional body's usual competition structure
- This marks the first edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, establishing a new annual or periodic competition for Southeast Asian football development
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong football, hosting Division 2 matches provides a rare opportunity to showcase the city as a regional sports hub while competing directly against regional neighbours. The tournament creates pathways for developing nations to gain international match experience that could elevate football standards throughout Southeast Asia .
For Hong Kong football, hosting Division 2 matches provides a rare opportunity to showcase the city as a regional sports hub while competing directly against regional neighbours. The tournament creates pathways for developing nations to gain international match experience that could elevate football standards throughout Southeast Asia .