When and where will the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 take place?

Taking place between September 24 and October 3, 2026, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 features Division 1 held in Indonesia and Division 2 in Hong Kong (China). Vietnam's side is in the highest division, grouped alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

When does the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 occur?

• Event period: September 24 to October 3, 2026.

FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 This is the first edition of the regional tournament directly managed and operated by FIFA. The idea was announced in October 2025 after FIFA and ASEAN signed a new memorandum of understanding at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On March 20, 2026, the FIFA Council approved the plan to hold the competition within the same year.

The tournament falls during the September and October FIFA Days. Under the new international calendar, the two separate international windows in September and October have been merged into a single window from September 21 to October 6, allowing each team a maximum of four matches. The FIFA ASEAN Cup schedule has been updated to September 24–October 3, fully within this window.

A noteworthy point is that playing during the FIFA Days enables teams to call up their strongest lineups, including players based abroad. The matches also count toward the FIFA rankings according to the rules for international fixtures during FIFA Days. This is a major difference from the traditional ASEAN Championship, which in recent years has not always been fully aligned with the FIFA international calendar.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 includes 14 teamsdivided into two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. In addition to 11 teams from Southeast Asia, the tournament also features India, Pakistan, and Hong Kong (China).

In Division 1, the eight teams are split into two groups. Group A consists of Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. The Vietnamese team is in Group B with Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. The Vietnam–Thailand blockbuster clash thus becomes one of the most anticipated matches right from the group stage.

Division 2 comprises six teams. Group A includes Hong Kong (China), Myanmar, and Brunei, while Group B consists of Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste.

Where will the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 be played?

Venue: Indonesia and Hong Kong (China), hosting centrally by division.

Unlike the ASEAN Championship with its home-and-away format, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is held centrally at two locations. All Division 1 matches take place in Indonesia, while Hong Kong (China) serves as the host for Division 2.

Splitting the tournament into two divisions aims to create more balanced matches in terms of quality. In Division 1, eight teams are divided into two groups of four; Division 2 has six teams in two groups of three. Under the announced format, the group winners advance directly to the division final, while the two runners-up compete for third place, with no semifinals.

This model creates a different competitive system compared to the ASEAN Championship. Strong teams like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia face opponents of similar caliber from the group stage, while teams in Division 2 gain more international exposure and aim to move up to the higher division.

For Vietnam, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will be the second regional tournament in 2026. Earlier, coach Kim Sang‑sik’s squad will participate in the ASEAN Championship 2026 from July 24 to August 26 as defending champions. Less than a month after that traditional competition ends, Vietnam will begin a new campaign at the FIFA ASEAN Cup and once again face their familiar rival Thailand.

The arrival of the FIFA ASEAN Cup also marks a significant shift for Southeast Asian football. When unveiling the project in October 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the tournament aims to boost team football and support the sport’s development across the region.

Two host cities for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

• Indonesia – hosts all Division 1 matches, including two groups featuring Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India, and Pakistan.
• Hong Kong (China) – hosts all Division 2 matches, including Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor‑Leste.

The specific stadiums and full match schedule for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 are still awaiting complete announcement.