FIFA officially launched “FIFA ASEAN Cup”, a new regional football tournament for Southeast Asian nations, modeled on FIFA Arab Cup, following Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. FIFA and ASEAN signed a renewed MoU to strengthen football development and social cooperation across Southeast Asia.
About FIFA–ASEAN MoU (2025)
Signed between:
- FIFA President: Gianni Infantino
- ASEAN Secretary-General: (Name not specified in release; represents ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta)
- Venue: 47th ASEAN Summit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Duration: 5-year agreement
- Objective: To use football as a tool for social unity, youth development, and regional cooperation.
Key Features of MoU
The new FIFA–ASEAN partnership (2025–2030) aims to:
- Promote sports integrity and fair play.
- Leverage football for social and economic development.
- Enhance football education, infrastructure, and governance.
- Promote inclusion and equality in sports.
- Support environmental sustainability and climate change resilience.
Launch of FIFA ASEAN Cup
- Announced by: FIFA and ASEAN
- Tournament Model: Based on the successful FIFA Arab Cup (first held in Qatar in 2021).
- Purpose: To bring together all FIFA Member Associations from Southeast Asia under a new competitive footballing platform.
- Format: To be finalized by FIFA, AFC (Asian Football Confederation), and AFF (ASEAN Football Federation).
- Expected Timeline: Tournament expected during FIFA International Match Windows to ensure global player participation.
Participating Countries (11 ASEAN Member States)
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
Each country’s national football association is a FIFA Member Association, qualifying them to participate in the new tournament.
Objectives of FIFA ASEAN Cup
- To increase regular competitive exposure for Southeast Asian teams.
- To promote youth and grassroots football development.
- To enhance regional unity through sports diplomacy.
- To boost footballing standards across ASEAN nations.
- To attract global sponsorships and investment in ASEAN football infrastructure.
Football Development Impact
- The new tournament will complement the existing ASEAN Championship (AFF Championship), which has been organized since 1996.
- While the AFF Championship is organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will be directly managed under FIFA’s structure, ensuring greater funding, visibility, and international credibility.
- The collaboration will strengthen youth programs, enhance football-for-schools initiatives, and promote healthy lifestyles among ASEAN youth populations.
Background and Context
- The first MoU between FIFA and ASEAN was signed in November 2019, leading to:
- Implementation of “Football for Schools” program across ASEAN countries.
- Health and education campaigns using football as a social vehicle.
- Workshops on sports integrity, youth leadership, and inclusivity.
- The renewed 2025 MoU builds upon these foundations to create a structured football ecosystem that combines sporting excellence and social impact.
FIFA ASEAN Cup vs ASEAN Championship (AFF Cup)
| Feature | FIFA ASEAN Cup | ASEAN Championship (AFF Cup) |
| Organizer | FIFA (Global Body) | ASEAN Football Federation |
| Scope | Football + social development under FIFA–ASEAN MoU | Purely football competition |
| Inception Year | 2025 | 1996 |
| Objective | Regional unity, development, inclusion | Regional football championship |
| Funding | Supported by FIFA | Supported by AFF sponsors |
| Global Visibility | Higher (FIFA-backed) | Regional focus |
Significance of Launch
- Strengthens ASEAN unity through sports diplomacy and people-to-people engagement.
- Positions Southeast Asia as an emerging football hub in the Asian region.
- Enhances collaboration between FIFA, AFC, and ASEAN nations.
- Encourages youth participation and grassroots development.
- Attracts tourism, investment, and international broadcasting opportunities.
About FIFA
- Full Form: Fédération Internationale de Football Association
- Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
- Founded: 1904
- President: Gianni Infantino (since 2016)
- Member Associations: 211 countries
- Governing Confederations:
- AFC (Asia)
- CAF (Africa)
- CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean)
- CONMEBOL (South America)
- OFC (Oceania)
- UEFA (Europe)
- Major Global Tournaments Organized by FIFA:
- FIFA World Cup (Men’s and Women’s)
- FIFA Club World Cup
- FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups
- FIFA Arab Cup
- Now, FIFA ASEAN Cup
Football Facts
- AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- First ASEAN Football Championship (Tiger Cup): 1996 (won by Thailand).
- Host of FIFA World Cup 2022: Qatar.
About ASEAN
- Full Form: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Founded: 8 August 1967 (Bangkok Declaration)
- Founding Members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
- Current Members (11): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste (joined 2025).
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Motto: “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”
- Summit: ASEAN Summit held annually to discuss political, economic, and socio-cultural issues.
- Key Focus Areas: Regional integration, peace, trade, connectivity, and people-centered cooperation.
- Next FIFA World Cup (2026): Jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- India’s Football Governing Body: All India Football Federation (AIFF)- affiliated to AFC and FIFA.