OFFICIAL: FIFA approves ASEAN Cup, Vietnam national team benefits

FIFA's official organization of the ASEAN Cup will be a great opportunity for the Vietnam national team to accumulate crucial points on the FIFA rankings.

FIFA has officially confirmed the organization of a new tournament named FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled to take place from September to October 2026. This is the first time a Southeast Asian regional competition is placed under the direct sponsorship of FIFA, opening up significant opportunities for national teams in the region, including the Vietnam national team.

According to the announcement released after the online meeting of the FIFA Council at its headquarters in Zurich (Switzerland), the idea of establishing this tournament was first presented at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in October 2025 and received many positive responses. After a review process, FIFA has officially approved the plan to organize the tournament.

Information about the FIFA ASEAN Cup was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino after signing a memorandum of understanding for football development cooperation on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit. However, FIFA has not yet disclosed details about the competition format, although it previously mentioned that the tournament would gather all 11 Southeast Asian national teams.

This tournament will take place within the new extended FIFA Day timeframe applied from 2026, lasting three weeks from September 21 to October 6. During this period, each national team can play up to four matches. Playing within FIFA Day helps matches earn higher points on the FIFA rankings compared to regular regional tournaments.

This provides a significant advantage for the Vietnam national team as it has the opportunity to improve its world ranking through matches against Southeast Asian opponents. Not only that, as the regional champion, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team also face the chance to win a title in an official tournament organized by FIFA.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian national teams will also face a dense schedule as the AFF Cup 2026 (ASEAN Hyundai Cup) takes place from July 24 to August 26, right before the FIFA ASEAN Cup. In this tournament, the Vietnam national team is in the same group as Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and one of the two teams Timor-Leste or Brunei, while Thailand competes in Group B with Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.

FIFA President attends AFF Congress, promotes FIFA ASEAN Cup

ASEAN Cup changes history: Reschedules organization after World Cup Finals