Hanoi, 29 July 2026 – According to the official announcement from FIFA, the Vietnam national team has been drawn alongside Thailand, Pakistan, and the Philippines in Group B of Division 1 at the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 marks the first regional international football tournament to be organized and administered directly by FIFA, operating separately from the traditional ASEAN Championship.
The competition will take place during the FIFA international window from September 24 to October 3, 2026, allowing participating nations to field their strongest possible squads, including players based overseas. In addition, all matches will count toward the FIFA World Rankings under the official FIFA Days ranking system.
FIFA has confirmed that the tournament will feature a two-division format. Division 1 matches will be staged in Indonesia, while Division 2 will be hosted in Hong Kong, China.
In Division 1, Vietnam have been placed in Group B alongside Thailand, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Group A consists of Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The Division 2 groups are as follows:
- Group A: Hong Kong, China; Myanmar; Brunei
- Group B: Cambodia; Laos; Timor-Leste
FIFA believes the introduction of a two-tier competition will increase the tournament’s overall competitiveness by ensuring teams face opponents of a similar standard more regularly. The format is also expected to improve the quality of matches, reduce one-sided contests, and create greater incentives for teams to fight for promotion or avoid relegation in future editions.
According to FIFA, the official match schedule and tournament regulations will be released in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, member associations are completing the registration process and other administrative requirements in accordance with FIFA’s guidelines as preparations continue for the tournament’s historic inaugural edition.
VSN/RPT
Leave a Reply