FIFA Launches ASEAN Cup to Boost Southeast Asian Football

In a major announcement for regional sports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveiled a new football tournament — the FIFA ASEAN Cup — aimed at uplifting the standard of national football across Southeast Asia. The declaration was made at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, 2025, marking a historic collaboration between FIFA and ASEAN.

The initiative underscores FIFA’s commitment to nurturing grassroots development and regional football ecosystems, similar to its earlier successful model with the FIFA Arab Cup.

ASEAN Cup: A Regional Milestone

• The tournament will feature national teams from all 11 ASEAN member states, including East Timor, which was formally admitted to ASEAN just hours before the announcement.
• Infantino, along with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing their commitment to football development across Southeast Asia.
• “This will be a great addition to the regional football calendar,” Infantino said, adding that the new tournament will unite nations, enhance national team competitiveness, and promote youth talent pipelines in the region.

Planning and Structure

FIFA will collaborate with,

• The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
• The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF)
• National football associations of ASEAN member states

The structure, format, and scheduling of the ASEAN Cup are expected to be finalized in upcoming consultations. It is expected to be modeled on the Arab Cup format, which successfully featured teams from the Middle East and North Africa under FIFA’s guidance.

Regional Impact and Football Diplomacy

The ASEAN Cup is expected to,

• Offer consistent competitive exposure to Southeast Asian national teams
• Elevate the standard of play, coaching, and infrastructure
• Foster regional unity and identity through sports
• Serve as a stepping stone for World Cup and Asian Cup aspirations
• It complements regional goals of sports development while positioning Southeast Asia more prominently in global football diplomacy.

Strategic Timing with East Timor’s ASEAN Entry

• The announcement comes at a symbolic time — East Timor’s formal inclusion as ASEAN’s 11th member — underscoring a shared vision for inclusive regional development, not just in politics and trade, but also in sports and youth engagement.

Key Facts

• Event Announced: October 27, 2025
• Occasion: 47th ASEAN Summit, Kuala Lumpur
• By: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn
• Tournament Name: FIFA ASEAN Cup
• Participants: 11 ASEAN nations (including East Timor)
• Modeled On: FIFA Arab Cup
• Partners: AFC, AFF, national football bodies
• Purpose: Strengthen Southeast Asian national football and regional unity