KUCHING: Malaysia has withdrawn from the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup following a late change to the tournament schedule that falls outside the FIFA international calendar.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), in a statement today, said the revised dates – August 28 to September 8 – presented logistical and squad availability challenges, as clubs are not obliged to release players during that period.
“This directly affects our ability to form a competitive squad, especially with several key players featuring in top leagues such as Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and Japan,” said FAM.
The tournament, hosted by the Central Asian Football Association in Tajikistan, was initially within the FIFA window before being moved after the official draw.
National head coach Peter Cklamovski supported the decision, calling it “realistic and strategic”.
“We’ve got players in top leagues around the world Spain, Argentina, Colombia & Japan. Getting them to Tajikistan in time to perform at the level we demand is not realistic under the current window.
“Then there’s the impact on logistics, recovery and budget. I would never want to compromise our players’ well-being or go into a tournament not at full-strength.
“This is an important, strategic decision. We shift our full focus to preparing properly in the September window and making sure we’re ready to perform at our best in October and November especially with important games like Laos and Nepal ahead,” he said.
FAM added that the decision aligns with its long-term goals to prioritise player welfare, foster strong club relationships, and ensure the best possible preparation for key fixtures.
