OFFICIAL: FIFA issues final verdict on the new tournament involving the Vietnam National Team

FIFA officially unveiled the playing format of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, with a unique rule that no promotion or relegation will occur, despite the competition not yet having two levels.

After many days of anticipation, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has formally released the match structure for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 4, bringing together numerous teams from Southeast Asia along with several invited guests. The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup is divided into two separate divisions: the Premier Division and the Challenge Division, both featuring a relatively similar competition framework.

The Premier Division is the highest tier, comprising 8 teams: Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan. According to the draw results, Group A includes host Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. Meanwhile, the Vietnam National Team is placed in Group B alongside Thailand, Philippines, and Pakistan, forming a group that is expected to be highly competitive.

In the Challenge Division, 6 teams participate: Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste. The teams are split into two groups of three each. Group A consists of host Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Brunei, while Group B features Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste. This is seen as an opportunity for lower-ranked teams to gain more international playing experience.

The competition format in both divisions is essentially the same. During the group stage, teams play a single round-robin to determine their rankings. Only the top team from each group advances to the final to compete for the championship. FIFA also organizes placement matches, where teams finishing in the same position in their respective groups face each other. Notably, despite being divided into Premier Division and Challenge Division, the tournament does not have a promotion or relegation mechanism.

Indonesia has been chosen by FIFA to host the entire Premier Division. The two stadiums serving the tournament are Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta and Si Jalak Harupat in Bandung. Meanwhile, the Challenge Division will be held at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The centralized hosting at fixed venues is expected to facilitate smoother organization, travel, and operation of the event.

FIFA has also announced notable prize money for participating teams. Each team appearing in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup will receive $125,000. The Premier Division champion will be awarded $1 million, creating a strong attraction for the tournament. Meanwhile, the Challenge Division winner will take home $300,000, equivalent to the prize for the AFF Cup champion. With its new format and attractive rewards, the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup promises to become a significant platform for regional football.