FIFA announces new ASEAN Cup to unite Southeast Asian football nations

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced the creation of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a new regional football championship that will include all eleven member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The tournament, designed to operate within FIFA's International Match Calendar, aims to significantly elevate football's profile and development across Southeast Asia's approximately 700 million inhabitants.

Strategic Development Initiative

Infantino explained that the competition will "give a real boost to football" by featuring the region's best players in a structured international framework. "Football unites the world and together with all 11 ASEAN countries, we are creating the FIFA ASEAN Cup," the FIFA president stated during the announcement in Kuala Lumpur, predicting the tournament would "bring the region together and become a huge success" on the global football stage.

Formal Agreement and High-Level Endorsement

The announcement followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on regional football development during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia's capital. The agreement was formalized by Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attending in his capacity as ASEAN 2025 chair. The MoU represents FIFA's commitment to expanding development initiatives throughout Southeast Asia.

Three-Pillar Development Framework

Infantino outlined a comprehensive development strategy built on three core principles: ensuring integrity in the game, providing safe and secure match environments, and promoting educational opportunities through football for both genders across the region. The structured approach aims to create sustainable football development while leveraging the sport's unifying potential throughout Southeast Asia's diverse nations.