Less than a month after the conclusion of the ASEAN Championship, Southeast Asian football fans have another regional tournament to savour. The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup will kick off on September 24 and will include 11 Southeast Asian nations and three guest countries divided into two divisions.
But why do we need this competition when we already have the prestigious ASEAN Championship filled with history? The answer is somewhat nuanced. The ASEAN Championship is usually held outside the official FIFA international window. This means the clubs are not obliged to release their players for the tournament, and it dilutes the level of competition to an extent.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup falls in the international window, which dictates that clubs in Asia and elsewhere must make their players available for national selection. The tournament has seen some scepticism from fans, but the passion for the game in the region overpowers any such doubts.
With that said, let’s dive into what the new tournament is all about and how it works.
FIFA ASEAN Cup format
The first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup will see 14 teams divided into two divisions. Division 1 is hosted by Indonesia and will contain the powerhouses of the Southeast Asian football scene. The division will also see two guest teams- Bangladesh and Pakistan compete.
Initially, China and India were invited to be a part of the tournament, but they declined participation due to other commitments. China has chosen to focus on preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup, and India opted out after scheduling conflicts as they prepare to host Brazil on October 3.
Division 1 will see eight teams divided into two groups of four. The top teams from each group will progress to play in the final, while the runners-up in each group will compete in the bronze final. There are also plans to have extra matches between the teams that fail to reach the final in order to determine the rankings.
Division 2, which is essentially the second tier, will be hosted by Hong Kong. It will see six teams divided into two groups of three. The top two teams from each group will play for the Division 2 trophy.
Division 2 will kick off on September 24 with two games, and Division 1 begins a day later. The finals for Divisions 1 and 2 will be held on October 3 and 5, respectively.
Division 1 Teams and Groups
Division 1 of the FIFA ASEAN CUP consists of two groups. Group A will see hosts Indonesia paired with Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh. The tournament will offer a chance for Indonesia to redeem themselves after a disappointing ASEAN Championship. Tim Garuda finished third in their group behind Vietnam and Singapore and failed to beat either side.
The opening game pits them against Gavin Lee’s Singapore on September 25. The Lions are four-time ASEAN Championship winners and have also qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup. A win in the opening game for Indonesia will increase hopes of a first major regional title, and it could boost the tournament’s profile big time.
Malaysia will start their campaign against Bangladesh on the same date. Harimau Malaya were ousted in the ASEAN Championship semi-finals by Vietnam and will seek a better performance in the new tournament. Eyes will be on Brad Tapp, Manuel Hidalgo and Bergson to see how they lead their country on the big stage.
Bangladesh shouldn’t be taken lightly as well. Head coach Thomas Dooley has coaching experience in Southeast Asia, having helmed roles with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Could it be a case of a coach returning to haunt his former team? The Tigers fans will certainly hope so.
Group B of Division 1 places defending ASEAN Championship winners Vietnam alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. The Golden Star Warriors will look to build on their recent dominance, having won back-to-back ASEAN Championships. They start their campaign against the Philippines, who will call on the talent of their European-based players Isaiah Alakiu and Sebastian Rasmussen.
Thailand have been dealing with the agony of yet another ASEAN Championship final heartbreak at the hands of Vietnam. The War Elephants suffered a defeat in the 2024 edition of the tournament, before losing this year as well. Coach Anthony Hudson will aim to right the wrongs in the FIFA ASEAN Cup and assert their regional dominance.
They will take on Pakistan in their first game of the tournament. On paper, Pakistan might not seem like a big threat, but they have improved steadily under former Newcastle United and West Ham player Nolberto Solano. The Falcons failed to make an impact in the Asian Cup qualifiers, but surprisingly won the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament, overcoming the likes of Bangladesh, Maldives and rivals Afghanistan.
FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 1
Group A: Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore
Group B: Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines
Division 2 Teams and Groups
Division 2 of the FIFA ASEAN Cup will contain six teams divided into two groups. Group A will see hosts Hong Kong pitted against Brunei Darussalam and Laos.
The opening fixture sees Laos face Brunei, with both teams having struggled recently. Laos competed in the ASEAN Championship last month, but failed to gain a single point, losing all four matches. Brunei have also suffered defeat in their previous three games.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong start their campaign on September 27 against Laos, eyeing a scalp under coach Roberto Losada.
Group B will have Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste competing for the top spot. The opening fixture will put Myanmar against Timor-Leste. Both teams also participated in the recently concluded ASEAN Championship. Under coach Jorn Andersen, Myanmar gained six points from four games in the tournament and will be eyeing a final spot in this new competition. Timor-Leste, meanwhile, finished bottom of their group with no points to their name.
Cambodia will play Myanmar in their opening game on September 27. The team is boosted by some high-profile players from Cambodian League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC and will be hoping to reach the final.
FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 2
Group A: Hong Kong, China, Laos, Brunei Darussalam
Group B: Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste
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