FIFA organizes separate tournament for Southeast Asia

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) will launch the FIFA ASEAN Cup - a regional tournament to promote football development in Southeast Asia.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn after signing the memorandum of understanding - Photo: FIFA

At the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), the World Football Federation (FIFA) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a new phase of cooperation.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, witnessed by ASEAN Chair and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim.

This is the second five-year cooperation phase between the two organizations, following the first agreement signed in November 2019, which has brought many meaningful programs such as: FIFA football for schools, health communication campaigns and education - development seminars in the Southeast Asia region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized: "The new agreement between FIFA and ASEAN will help both organizations continue to make a difference, using football as a means to bring confidence and joy to millions of children and young people across Southeast Asia.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) presents a souvenir flag to ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn - Photo: FIFA

This partnership will promote football development, social progress and healthy lifestyles across the region."

Under the new agreement, the two sides will strengthen coordination in five key areas: promoting integrity in sport; leveraging sport for socio-economic development; ensuring football development on and off the pitch; promoting inclusion and equality; and supporting climate change adaptation.

Immediately after the signing ceremony, FIFA officially announced the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a tournament for national teams of FIFA member federations in the Southeast Asian region, organized according to the model of the FIFA Arab Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with the ASEAN community through the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup.

This will be an important highlight in the regional football calendar, creating opportunities for the best players in Southeast Asia to shine on the international stage.

Through the FIFA ASEAN Cup, we are uniting countries in the region, while elevating national football and developing the sports movement across Southeast Asia."

FIFA said it will closely coordinate with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) and FIFA member federations of ASEAN countries to unify the competition format of the FIFA ASEAN Cup in the coming time.

This is really good news for football fans in the region.

NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/fifa-to-chuc-rieng-giai-dau-cho-dong-nam-a-20251026211831507.htm