FIFA announces ASEAN Cup, Southeast Asia's miniature World Cup
FIFA confirmed the FIFA ASEAN Cup with 11 Southeast Asian teams, simulating the format of the 2021 Arab Cup and included in the FIFA competition schedule; most likely taking place in a 2 or 4 year cycle.
FIFA has officially announced the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a tournament featuring 11 Southeast Asian teams and described as a mini World Cup for the region. The announcement was made shortly after FIFA and ASEAN signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The tournament is expected to follow the same group stage and knockout format as the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, taking place within the FIFA competition schedule so that teams can summon their strongest squads.
What's new in the FIFA ASEAN Cup for Southeast Asia?
According to the announcement, the tournament will gather all 11 Southeast Asian national teams and will be held within the FIFA calendar, which has limited the AFF Cup for many years. Although there is no official schedule, it is likely that the tournament will take place in a cycle of 2 or 4 years.
Team composition
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Philippines
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Myanmar
- Brunei
- East Timor
The competition structure is similar to the 2021 Arab Cup, helping the tournament have a familiar pace for fans: a group stage with a knockout stage, thereby balancing the opportunity for extensive competition and the competitiveness in the final stage.
Message from Kuala Lumpur and 5-year vision
The cooperation agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn at the 47th ASEAN Summit. This follows the first MoU from 2019, which opened up programs to develop school football, community health and coach training in the region.
Mr. Gianni Infantino emphasized: “Together we will bring football closer to millions of young people in Southeast Asia. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is not only a tournament, but also a symbol of solidarity and sustainable development.”
FIFA's strategy: from economics to sustainable development
Southeast Asia is a market of more than 700 million people with a passionate love for football. FIFA's decision to organize a separate tournament for the region is not only a sporting move, but also a strategic move in terms of trade and administration. Standardizing operations, improving infrastructure, improving youth training quality and creating a playground of international standards are the key goals being pursued.
As the FIFA President said: “The number 11 is not just the number of players on the field – but 11 ASEAN countries sharing the same dream of developing football.”
FIFA schedule and impact on regional ecosystem
Organizing during the FIFA Days allows teams to call on their strongest forces, improving professional quality - something that the AFF Cup is often difficult to ensure. If the plan is approved, the FIFA ASEAN Cup could become an upgraded version or replace the AFF Cup in the future. However, the risk of overlapping with the AFF Cup or SEA Games is a test of the ability to coordinate the competition schedule and will need a clear roadmap.
Opportunities for young players and top teams
Teams like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia or Malaysia have more space to test tactics and build their squad in a top environment. For young players, regular international exposure helps them gain experience and increase their competitiveness, thereby supporting the goal of improving their position on the FIFA rankings.
Unanswered Questions
There is no official schedule yet and the frequency of organization is still at "most likely 2 or 4 years". The difference in level between the top and bottom groups in the region is a challenge for the attraction of the tournament, requiring a reasonable format design to maintain balance and competition.
Conclusion: An ASEAN version of the World Cup is taking shape
If organized properly and closely following the FIFA calendar, the FIFA ASEAN Cup can become a new symbol of regional cooperation and solidarity. Based on the 5-year MoU and a vision for sustainable development, this playground promises to bring new vitality to Southeast Asian football, expand opportunities for young players and raise the level of national teams - in line with the goal of "nurturing the big dreams of 700 million football lovers in Southeast Asia".
