Finalize the 2026 AFF Cup schedule: Held right after the World Cup, the longest in history

The AFF Cup will be named ASEAN Hyundai Cup™ 2026 after having a new sponsor, taking place from July 24 to August 26, 2026.

AFF Cup 2026 takes place in 33 days

The 2026 AFF Cup will be the 16th time that teams from the ASEAN member federations (AFF) compete in a biennial cycle, since the first tournament held in Singapore in 1996.

The official draw for the 2026 AFF Cup will be held next year (the exact date will be announced by the AFF). The two play-off matches to determine the final group stage ticket will be played in a home-away format on June 2 and 9.

The group stage, which will feature 10 teams, will take place from July 24 to August 8, in a round-robin format across the region. The knockout rounds (first and second legs) will begin on August 15 and end on August 26. The AFF Cup will take place from July 24 to August 26, over a total of 33 days.

AFF Cup takes place from July 24 to August 26, 2026

PHOTO: AFF

Major General Khiev Sameth, President of the AFF, said: "The AFF Cup is Southeast Asia's premier international football tournament. We are delighted to announce the next fixtures on the occasion of the 30th anniversary, a very significant milestone in the development journey of the tournament.

We are extremely grateful to the fans in the region who have shown their love and unwavering support for the tournament since 1996. We look forward to joining millions of football fans in ASEAN and our new sponsor Hyundai Motor Company in celebrating the tournament’s achievements, continuing to take the tournament to the international level and reinforcing its sustainable value for decades to come.”

Mr. Sunny Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific, shared: "At Hyundai, we believe that football is more than just a sport , but also a powerful platform to unite and empower communities, reflecting our vision of 'Progress for Humanity'. With over 26 years of global football, Hyundai is proud to be the official sponsor of the Hyundai Cup on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the tournament, a milestone of heritage and development.

With today's announcement, Hyundai continues its mission to create value beyond mobility, using the power of football to connect and inspire millions of fans across the ASEAN region."

The Vietnamese team is the current AFF Cup champion. At the tournament taking place at the end of 2024, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team defeated Thailand with a total score of 5-3 in the final to win the third Southeast Asian championship title in history.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chot-lich-thi-dau-aff-cup-2026-to-chuc-ngay-sau-world-cup-dai-nhat-lich-su-185251117122017787.htm