Hanoi, 29 July 2026 – Football fans across Southeast Asia have been left surprised after Pakistan was confirmed as the team replacing China in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
China recently announced its withdrawal from the tournament, which is scheduled to take place in September 2026. Instead, the Chinese national team will participate in a five-nation international friendly tournament featuring Uzbekistan, North Korea, Tajikistan, and Palestine during the same international window.
Following China’s withdrawal, FIFA approached several national teams to fill the vacant spot. The invitation was ultimately accepted by Pakistan, currently ranked 198th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, a decision that has caught many football supporters in the region by surprise. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has officially confirmed the team’s participation.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed the opportunity, emphasizing the federation’s ambition to compete at a higher level.
“We are no longer satisfied with participating only in developmental competitions. Pakistan is ready to compete against stronger opponents. Taking part in this year’s FIFA ASEAN Cup marks another important step for Pakistani football on the international stage,” Gilani said.
Based on their current FIFA ranking, Pakistan are expected to compete in Group 2, which will be hosted in Hong Kong. FIFA is also expected to invite two additional national teams to ensure that each tournament group consists of eight participating teams.
Unless there are further changes, the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will be held from September 23 to October 6, with matches taking place in Indonesia and Hong Kong. The tournament is expected to bring together national teams from Southeast Asia and invited nations, offering a new international competition during the FIFA calendar.
VSN/RPT
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