Thai fans: 'Vietnam will be the first champion of this FIFA ASEAN Cup'

Thai fans reacted enthusiastically when the new tournament was approved by FIFA, showing particular respect for the Vietnamese team.

FIFA's official approval of the FIFA ASEAN Cup tournament, scheduled from September to October 2026, quickly generated significant interest across the region. This marks the first time Southeast Asia has a competition under FIFA's direct patronage, elevating the value of matches and opening opportunities for teams to improve their rankings.

According to FIFA's announcement after the Zurich meeting, the tournament will take place within extended FIFA Days, allowing each team to play up to four matches with higher accumulated points. This factor particularly caught the attention of Thai fans, leading to notable assessments of the regional power balance, especially regarding Vietnam.

On football forums, many Thai fans expressed excitement as Southeast Asia finally has an official FIFA-level tournament. One shared opinion: "So Southeast Asia now has an officially recognized tournament too." However, notably, many fans showed great respect for the Vietnamese team, which holds a strong position in the region.

One fan candidly stated: "Vietnam will definitely be the first champion of this tournament." This viewpoint reflects a clear recognition of Vietnam's current football strength. Meanwhile, other opinions still express faith in the "War Elephants," such as: "Thailand will have the strongest squad in this tournament; the War Elephants will dominate all."

Additionally, fans from the Land of Gold also assessed that the tournament landscape will not be easy. A notable comment pointed out: "It seems Indonesia and Vietnam will be our main rivals in this tournament." This reflects the caution of Thai fans towards opponents making strong progress in the region.

Beyond the title significance, the FIFA ASEAN Cup is seen as a golden opportunity to accumulate points on the FIFA rankings. One fan emphasized: "This tournament is crucial for accumulating FIFA points; Thailand needs to assemble its strongest squad to aim for the championship." This is also a common view, as the dense schedule forces teams to prepare thoroughly.

Taking place right after the 2026 AFF Cup, the FIFA ASEAN Cup promises fierce competition. In this context, Thai fans' high regard for Vietnam is not only an acknowledgment of strength but also shows that the new tournament will truly measure the level of Southeast Asian football.