Southeast Asia Gets a FIFA Cup
By Izhar Safuan
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - In the opulent halls of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, amidst the high-level politics of the 47th ASEAN Summit, the focus briefly shifted from geopolitics to the global game. On Sunday, October 26, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn formalized a partnership that promised a new era for Southeast Asian football.
The centerpiece of the day was the announcement of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The tournament will bring together national teams from all 11 ASEAN nations, a move Infantino hailed as uniting the region through the world’s most popular sport. Crucially, the tournament is slated to be held within the FIFA International Match Calendar. This detail means that, unlike previous regional tournaments that struggled with club releases, national teams can finally field their best players, giving the region's top talent a chance to shine on a global stage.
The new competition was cemented by the signing of a renewed, five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASEAN and FIFA, witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This partnership, which follows an initial 2019 agreement, goes beyond simply launching a tournament.
It formalizes a deeper commitment focused on three core pillars:
Integrity in the Game, to combat match-fixing and corruption.
Safety and Security standards for matches and venues.
Education and Inclusion, promoting development, particularly for women, youth, and marginalized communities.
For a region teeming with nearly 700 million passionate football fans, the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, backed by FIFA’s resources and international legitimacy, represents a powerful new platform. It’s a promise to build a professional, united, and world-class footballing future in Southeast Asia.