The proposed organizational plan for the tournament was initially to be announced at the 76th FIFA Conference held in Vancouver, Canada, on April 30. However, FIFA eventually released only a draft.
Accordingly, the tournament includes 11 Southeast Asian national teams, along with three guests: China, India, and Hong Kong. The 14 teams are divided into two divisions based on their FIFA rankings before the draw, The Straits Times reported.
Thailand (R) in a 1-1 draw with China in the World Cup qualifiers on June 6, 2024. Photo by AFC |
The first division includes Thailand (currently ranked 93), China (94), Vietnam (99), host Indonesia (122), the Philippines (135), India (136), Malaysia (138), and Singapore (147).
The second division includes Hong Kong (155), Myanmar (158), Cambodia (177), Laos (185), Brunei (194), and Timor Leste (200).
India and China are the two most populous countries in the world. If their participation is confirmed, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will bring together 14 countries with approximately 3.5 billion people – accounting for 44% of the world’s population.
China has yet to respond to FIFA’s invitation, while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is said to have given it the nod. “AIFF has accepted FIFA’s invitation and signed the participation agreement. We are now awaiting more details,” AIFF Deputy Secretary General Satyanarayan told the Times of India on May 6.
The first division matches are played at two locations, one of which is Indonesia. The second division matches are played in Hong Kong.
In each division, teams are drawn into two groups and compete in a round-robin format. The top team from each group advances to the final, while the two second-place teams compete for third place. Matches determining 5th-6th and 7th-8th place are not included. Therefore, participating teams will play a minimum of two and a maximum of four matches, which is suitable for the 15-day international break.
The prize money is estimated at around $4 million. The first-division champion will earn $1 million, while the second-division champion will pocket $300,000. Each team will receive a minimum participation fee of $125,000, exclusive of bonuses for draws and wins.
Vietnam received $300,000 after winning the 2024 ASEAN Cup.
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Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai (number 19) celebrates an equalizer in Vietnam’s 3-2 victory over Thailand in the ASEAN Cup 2024 second leg in Rajamangala Stadium, Thailand, Jan. 5, 2025. Photo by Read/Duc Dong |
The first FIFA ASEAN Cup will take place within the new expanded FIFA Days period, effective from 2026. The two international breaks in September and October will be combined into a single three-week period from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6.
FIFA’s direct hosting of the tournament is expected to elevate Southeast Asian football and provide more international exposure for national teams. President Infantino emphasized that the organization remains committed to developing global football through new initiatives, while affirming football’s roles in connecting nations and promoting peace.
With the new tournament, Southeast Asian teams will participate in two regional tournaments in 2026, with the other being the ASEAN Cup (formerly the AFF Cup), scheduled to take place from July 24 to Aug. 26. Vietnam is the defending champion of this traditional tournament, held every two years since 1996.
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