KUALA LUMPUR – The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has hailed FIFA’s announcement of the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup as a historic milestone for football development in Southeast Asia.
FAM acting president Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi said the timing of the announcement — made in Kuala Lumpur alongside the Asean Summit chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — carried deep symbolic meaning for Malaysia’s leadership and commitment to regional unity through sport.
“This announcement carries great symbolic meaning for Malaysia’s role and commitment in strengthening regional unity and cooperation through the sport of football,” Yusoff said in a statement today.
He said the new tournament, which will feature all 11 Asean member nations, marks the beginning of a new chapter for regional football under FIFA’s umbrella, providing a platform to raise competitiveness and foster stronger ties among member countries.
“The organisation of this championship will open a new chapter for Asean football while providing an important platform to elevate the competitive level of teams in the region,” he said, adding that the event will also “enhance the quality of competition as it will be held within the official FIFA calendar.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled the FIFA Asean Cup on Sunday, describing it as an effort to “inject new spirit” into football in the region and to strengthen unity among Asean nations through the world’s most popular sport.
Yusoff welcomed the initiative but noted that the tournament is still in its early planning stages and will require detailed discussions before becoming a reality.
“In any case, we hope the FIFA Asean Cup can be materialised for the advancement of football in this region,” he said.
The FIFA Asean Cup will be the first major international tournament under FIFA dedicated specifically to Southeast Asia, underscoring the growing global attention toward Asean’s football market and the region’s potential as a hub for the sport’s development. — October 27, 2025