Australia may participate in FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, competing for the championship alongside Vietnam and Indonesia.

The Australian national team is likely to be invited to the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, while the competition format of this tournament is currently under discussion.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup tournament is gradually revealing its first details, notably the potential inclusion of Australia to complete the number of participating teams.

According to revelations from commentator Ronny Pangemanan (Bung Ropan), this will be the first time FIFA organizes a dedicated tournament for the Southeast Asian region. However, to ensure competitiveness and meet the planned 12-team quota, the option of inviting Australia is being considered.

“This is the first time in FIFA's history that the FIFA ASEAN Cup is being organized. The possibility of Australia being invited to participate is entirely plausible to finalize the list of 12 teams,” said Mr. Ropan.

Additionally, important matters related to the tournament will soon be discussed in Vancouver. The President of the Indonesian Football Association, Erick Thohir, is expected to attend upon invitation from FIFA.

According to Mr. Ropan, this meeting will not only revolve around the FIFA ASEAN Cup but also serve as a forum to discuss many major issues, including the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously mentioned that this tournament could be structured similarly to other regional tournaments supported by FIFA. backing.

Regarding the format, the scenario being mentioned involves 12 teams divided into 3 groups, each with 4 teams. The group winners and runners-up will advance. However, other options such as organizing a ranking round or adjusting the knockout stage structure are still under consideration.

Although many details remain unconfirmed, it is evident that the FIFA ASEAN Cup is being prepared with significant scale and ambition. The addition of strong teams like Australia, if realized, will contribute to enhancing the professional quality and increasing the appeal of the tournament from its inaugural edition.