The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has approved the establishment of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a new regional tournament scheduled to take place from September to October 2026. This decision was finalized by the FIFA Council during a meeting in Zurich on 20/3. The tournament will feature 11 national teams from Southeast Asia, utilizing the newly expanded FIFA Days window, which comes into effect in 2026.

Under the new schedule, the national team windows for September and October will be combined into a single three-week period, running from 21/9 to 6/10. During this extended period, each participating team will be able to play a maximum of 4 matches.

The addition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup will provide Vietnam and Thailand football with more opportunities to gain experience and compete in fierce matches. *Photo: Duc Dong*

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the organization's ongoing commitment to global football development through new initiatives. He underscored football's important role in connecting nations and fostering peace. The addition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup is expected to elevate regional football standards and provide valuable international exposure for national teams. However, the introduction of a more congested fixture list also presents challenges related to squad depth and team preparation.

Southeast Asian teams are now set to compete in two regional tournaments within the same year of 2026. The traditional ASEAN Cup, a biennial competition held since 1996, is scheduled to run from 24/7 to 26/8. Vietnam currently holds the title as the reigning champion of this long-standing event.

While the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) and its member associations have yet to issue an official response to the FIFA ASEAN Cup plans, the new tournament, with FIFA's backing, is widely anticipated to mark a significant turning point for football in Southeast Asia. The specific competition format for the FIFA ASEAN Cup is currently under review.

Duc Dong