FIFA President attends AFF Congress, promotes FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Gianni Infantino will attend the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) Congress in Bangkok, Thailand on November 22 and 23, 2025, with a focus on promoting the FIFA ASEAN Cup project. This is an opportunity for FIFA and AFF to resume high-level exchanges on organizing the tournament, which is considered to have a significant impact on Southeast Asian football.

Earlier, in October, Infantino officially announced the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup following the signing of the ASEAN-FIFA Football Development Agreement in Kuala Lumpur. This document was signed by FIFA President and ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, in the presence of the Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chairman, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

FIFA ASEAN Cup: Bringing together 11 nations, a clear message.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup is expected to feature 11 member federations from the region:

• Malaysia
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Singapore
• Myanmar
• Timor Leste
• Brunei
• Philippines
• Laos
• Cambodia

Infantino emphasized: “The FIFA ASEAN Cup will include 11 countries from the region and will have a significant impact not only in Southeast Asia but also worldwide.”

With the dates yet to be finalized, AFF prioritizes the 2026 tournament.

The AFF has not yet announced the official schedule for the FIFA ASEAN Cup, as the Federation is preparing for the 2026 ASEAN Championship, scheduled to take place in July and August next year. The presence of the FIFA President in Bangkok is seen as a positive sign, demonstrating FIFA's commitment to elevating Southeast Asian football and promoting long-term cooperation projects.

Significance for the regional football ecosystem

As outlined, the FIFA ASEAN Cup is expected to provide impetus for member federations, opening up opportunities to assert Southeast Asia's position on the international football map. The tournament is also seen as a platform for young players in the region to gain international experience, while attracting attention and investment from global partners.

Milestones and related information

• October 2025: The signing ceremony for the ASEAN-FIFA Football Development Agreement takes place in Kuala Lumpur.
• November 22-23, 2025: Gianni Infantino attends the AFF Congress in Bangkok.
• FIFA ASEAN Cup: The official dates have not yet been announced by the AFF.
• ASEAN Championship 2026: tentatively scheduled for July-August 2026.
• According to an official announcement from FIFA, Indonesia and Thailand will co-host the FIFA Series 2026.

Against the backdrop of a packed regional schedule, the presence of the FIFA head in Bangkok provides the necessary framework for dialogue to clarify the next steps for the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The coordination between FIFA and AFF, along with the milestones already established, shows that the trajectory of promoting the development of Southeast Asian football is being maintained steadily.