KUALA LUMPUR: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced the creation of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a new regional football competition that will bring together all 11 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The tournament will be held within the FIFA International Match Calendar, ensuring participation of top players and global visibility. “We are launching this competition to give a real boost to football, featuring the best players within FIFA’s calendar, to make it truly impactful in the region and shine on the global stage,” Infantino said, as reported by Malaysian state media Bernama.
The announcement followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FIFA and ASEAN on football development during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The MoU was signed by Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witnessing the ceremony in his capacity as ASEAN 2025 chair.
Infantino highlighted FIFA’s commitment to expanding its initiatives in Southeast Asia, home to nearly 700 million people. “The first pillar is integrity in the game. The second is ensuring a safe and secure environment for matches. The third is education — promoting learning through football and fostering development for girls, boys, women, and men across the region,” he said.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup aims to strengthen regional unity through sport and enhance ASEAN’s presence on the global football map.
