FIFA Launches ASEAN Cup at ASEAN Summit

At the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025, FIFA and ASEAN signed a renewed memorandum of understanding launching the FIFA ASEAN Cup, announced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and ASEAN secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn and witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The tournament will involve all 11 ASEAN member states and is planned to be held within FIFA’s international match calendar, with a format inspired by the Arab Cup. FIFA said the competition aims to boost national-team football across Southeast Asia, tapping a regional market of roughly 700 million supporters and raising the sport’s profile globally. World governing body FIFA will work with regional stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, the ASEAN Football Federation and national associations to finalise the tournament’s format and logistics. FIFA emphasised development pillars of integrity, safety and education to promote football for boys, girls, men and women across the region, but Infantino did not provide a start date or full competition details.