KUCHING: Malaysia will test themselves against Southeast Asia’s traditional football powerhouses when they compete in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup from Sept 24 to Oct 5, with a place among the region’s elite up for grabs.
The national team has been drawn into Division 1 alongside hosts Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as invited teams Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The tournament, staged in Bandung, Jakarta and Hong Kong, will feature 14 teams comprising all 11 ASEAN member associations and three guest nations in a new FIFA-backed regional competition.
Division 1 matches will be played in Indonesia, while Division 2 – featuring hosts Hong Kong, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste – will be staged in Hong Kong.
Each division will be split into two groups, with teams playing a single-round robin format. Group winners will advance to their respective finals, while the Division 1 runners-up will contest a third-place playoff.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the tournament would provide national teams with more meaningful international matches within the FIFA calendar.
“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.
“The tournament will strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia while delivering unforgettable moments and fantastic international action for fans throughout the region,” he said.
The inaugural tournament forms part of FIFA’s efforts to expand competitive opportunities for national teams across Southeast Asia while strengthening football ties within the region.
