ASEAN region excited ahead of FIFA ASEAN Cup, unexpectedly mentions Vietnam team

The new tournament organized by FIFA has excited regional fans, many opinions believe this is a major turning point helping Southeast Asian football reach new heights and compete more fairly.

FIFA has officially approved the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, a completely new tournament for Southeast Asian national teams held within the FIFA Days schedule. This is seen as an important step as regional football for the first time has an official tournament within FIFA's system, instead of remaining only at the regional level as before.

Immediately after the announcement, Southeast Asian fan communities reacted with great excitement on forums. "Finally Southeast Asia has an official FIFA tournament, no longer considered a backyard pond", an Indonesian fan excitedly said.

Meanwhile, many believe this tournament will elevate the national teams in the region. "This is an opportunity for Southeast Asian football to truly develop, with FIFA points and international value".

Different from the traditional AFF Cup, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will take place during FIFA Days, meaning national teams can call up their strongest squads. This promises higher professional quality, as overseas stars can also participate.

Some fans even hope this will be a true "football feast" for the region. "Two consecutive tournaments in one year, Southeast Asia will be more vibrant than ever", an opinion from Thailand stated. However, alongside the excitement, there are also concerns about the crowded schedule as teams must participate in both the AFF Cup and FIFA ASEAN Cup within just a few months.

Notably, many fans have already made early predictions about the first champion of this tournament. "Vietnam is the current regional champion, they are capable of winning the FIFA ASEAN Cup title", a fan shared. Meanwhile, some other opinions still place trust in Thailand: "Don't forget Thailand is always a powerhouse, they will be the top candidate".

Specifically for the Vietnam national team, this tournament brings clear advantages. Since it occurs during FIFA Days, matches will carry higher FIFA ranking points, helping the team improve its ranking quickly. "If utilized well, Vietnam can make a breakthrough on the world ranking", a Vietnamese fan commented.

Additionally, the chance to win an officially recognized FIFA tournament also holds significant prestige value. This is something Southeast Asian teams have never had before.

According to the plan, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will take place from September to October, right after the AFF Cup ends. This makes 2026 one of the busiest periods for regional football.

The emergence of the new tournament not only creates more competitive opportunities but also opens a new chapter for Southeast Asian football. With great interest from fans, the FIFA ASEAN Cup promises to become an attractive and landmark event for the entire region.