FIFA launches a new Southeast Asian tournament, benefiting the Vietnam national team

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has formally introduced a new regional football tournament called the FIFA ASEAN Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, regarding the establishment of a new Southeast Asian football competition named the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The tournament will include all 11 Southeast Asian countries, marking a new era for football in the region.

President Infantino added that the tournament has been agreed upon by all 11 ASEAN member countries and will be called the FIFA ASEAN Cup. This competition will showcase the region’s top players as it will be held during the official FIFA international calendar.

This development is certainly advantageous for both the Vietnam national team and other Southeast Asian teams, as the tournament is recognized and organized by FIFA. The ranking points and coefficients earned here will likely surpass those of the current AFF Cup. It presents an opportunity for Southeast Asian teams, including Vietnam—the reigning regional champions—to advance on the FIFA rankings.

The important event announcing the new football tournament was grandly held at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26th. The ceremony was attended by high-profile figures such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, along with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim – the ASEAN Chair for 2025.

FIFA President Infantino emphasized that the tournament was created to "inject new energy" into regional football and to become a strong symbol of ASEAN unity through the world’s most popular sport. He stated: "The number 11 holds special significance in football, and now 11 ASEAN countries will come together to form a regional lineup. This competition will not only have a profound impact on Southeast Asia but also help elevate the region’s reputation on the global football map."

At the event, the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIFA and ASEAN marked a new phase of cooperation, continuing the agreement signed in 2019 in Bangkok. This updated MoU also officially includes Timor-Leste, the newest member of the bloc, within the cooperative framework. The agreement focuses on core principles such as fair play, safety on the field, comprehensive football development, and sports education for youth.