FIFA announces new tournament for Southeast Asian nations

The tournament will be held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, allowing players from leagues around the world to join their national teams.

At the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on regional football development on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit (Source: inside.fifa.com)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on October 26 unveiled a new football tournament for Southeast Asian nations at the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Infantino said the FIFA ASEAN Cup will be held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, allowing players from leagues around the world to join their national teams.

It’s a tournament that will bring the region together and become a huge success, he said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on regional football development on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit. The MoU was signed by Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Malaysia's news agency Bernama reported.

Infantino made the announcement hours after East Timor was formally admitted as ASEAN’s 11th member.

Southeast Asia already stages the ASEAN Championship, a biennial regional competition, with Vietnam winning the most recent edition in January.

Source: VNA