FIFA has officially announced the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a new football tournament designed to foster the development of the sport across Southeast Asia. The announcement was made during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, reports Reuters.
The tournament will feature national teams from all ASEAN member states, with a format inspired by FIFA’s 2021 Arab Cup. The competition is expected to become a key fixture in the regional football calendar.
"This will be a great addition to the regional football calendar," Infantino said. "Through the FIFA ASEAN Cup, we are uniting countries in the region, and this competition will be a huge success in boosting national team football in ASEAN while supporting the growth of the sport across Southeast Asia."
FIFA will collaborate with regional stakeholders, including the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), and relevant FIFA member associations, to finalize the tournament’s format and ensure its success.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup is part of FIFA’s broader efforts to invest in and elevate the game globally, with particular focus on emerging football regions.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
