First FIFA ASEAN Cup set to take place in late 2026

Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son (L) during the clash between Vietnam and Thailand in the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

The decision was officially finalized at the FIFA council meeting from Zurich, Switzerland on Friday. This highly anticipated new tournament will bring together all 11 Southeast Asian national teams and is set to take place within the newly expanded FIFA Days calendar that takes effect in 2026.

Following the new calendar, international breaks in September and October have been merged into a three-week window running from Sept. 21 to Oct. 6. During this period, each participating national team can play a maximum of four matches.

The format of the FIFA Asian Cup has not yet been revealed.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino emphasized the organization's ongoing commitment to developing global football through new initiatives. He also affirmed the role of football in connecting nations and promoting a spirit of peace.

As of now, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and its member nations have not issued an official public response regarding the plan to organize the FIFA ASEAN Cup. However, with the backing of FIFA, this new competition is widely expected to be a major turning point for Southeast Asian football.

The tournament will take place on FIFA Days, meaning that the national teams can call up players from any club, guaranteeing them to have the strongest squad possible.

With the new tournament, Southeast Asian teams will face a busy schedule, participating in two major regional competitions within months apart in 2026.

Prior to the FIFA ASEAN Cup, national teams will compete in the traditional ASEAN Cup (previously known as AFF Cup) from July 24 to August 26. This biennial tournament has been a staple since 1996, with Vietnam currently holding the title.

While FIFA's direct involvement is expected to significantly elevate the profile of Southeast Asian football and offer opportunities for international competition, the packed schedule will pose challenges for personnel and preparation of the national teams.