Indonesia, Hong Kong to host new 14-team Fifa Asean Cup

Fifa president Gianni Infantino revealed the launch of the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup, a tournament designed to provide national teams with significant competitive opportunities. The tournament, scheduled to take place later this month, will see 14 teams competing in two divisions across Indonesia and Hong Kong.

The 11 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will join Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as guest participants. The teams will be divided into two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2.

In Division 1, eight teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan will compete in two sections of four. The winners of these sections will face off in the first Fifa Asean Cup final on October 5.

Meanwhile, Division 2 will be hosted by Hong Kong, with six teams from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste participating. These teams will be split into two sections of three, with the winners advancing to a final on October 3.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino emphasized that the tournament aims to strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia, providing a meaningful platform for national teams to showcase their skills.