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Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup Set for September 24 Kickoff
The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a new football tournament for national teams.
It starts on September 24 and ends on October 5.
Fourteen teams will compete in two divisions.
Indonesia will host Division 1, while Hong Kong, China, will host Division 2.
Bangladesh will play Malaysia, and Indonesia will play Singapore on opening day.
Teams will first compete in groups.
The best teams will move on to finals and other playoff matches.
India will not participate because it plans to play two friendly matches against Brazil instead.
The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup will run from September 24 to October 5 across two divisions.
Division 1 opens in Jakarta with Bangladesh versus Malaysia and Indonesia versus Singapore.
Division 1 features eight teams in two groups, while Division 2 includes six teams in two groups.
Group winners will reach their division finals, with Division 1 also staging a third-place match.
All 11 ASEAN nations will participate alongside three guest teams; India has withdrawn to play Brazil in friendlies.
- Who
- Fourteen national teams, including all 11 ASEAN member nations and three guest teams, will compete; India has withdrawn.
- What
- The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup will be contested across two divisions with group matches, finals and a Division 1 third-place match.
- Where
- Division 1 will be hosted in Indonesia, while Division 2 will be staged in Hong Kong, China, including matches at venues in Jakarta, Bandung and Hong Kong.
- When
- The tournament runs from September 24 to October 5; the Division 2 final is scheduled for October 3.
- Why
- FIFA created the tournament to give national teams meaningful competitive opportunities and strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia.
Key facts
- Tournament
- Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup
- Dates
- September 24 to October 5
- Participants
- 14 national teams across two divisions
- Division 1 host
- Indonesia
- Division 2 host
- Hong Kong, China
- Opening fixtures
- Bangladesh vs Malaysia and Indonesia vs Singapore
- India
- Withdrew and will instead play two friendlies against Brazil
- Finals
- Division 1 final and third-place match on October 5; Division 2 final on October 3
Quotes
Gianni Infantino
FIFA president
“The FIFA ASEAN Cup was launched to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities within the Men’s International Match Calendar, giving players the chance to represent their countries in high-intensity regional rivalries.”
thehansindia.com
“The tournament will strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia while delivering unforgettable moments and fantastic international action for fans throughout the region.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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