ZURICH, Oct 26 (Reuters) – FIFA has announced the launch of a new regional competition, the FIFA ASEAN Cup, under an agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The event aims to strengthen football development and cooperation across Southeast Asia.
The announcement came during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the partnership.
The new tournament will feature national teams from all ASEAN member states. Its format will take inspiration from the Arab Cup, which FIFA organised for the first time in 2021.
“This will be a great addition to the regional football calendar,” Infantino said.
“Through the FIFA ASEAN Cup, we are uniting countries and creating opportunities for growth. The competition will boost national-team football and support the sport’s development across Southeast Asia.”
FIFA will coordinate with the Asian Football Confederation, the ASEAN Football Federation, and the national football associations of the member countries to finalise the tournament’s structure and schedule.
This news originally appeared at Reuters.