For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA world ranking points will be at stake at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

The regional tournament, co-hosted this year by Myanmar and the Philippines, features eight competing teams.

Previously considered a friendly competition by the world football governing body, and only offered ranking points on the ASEAN stage, FIFA now deems the Suzuki Cup a Category A tournament.

AFF General Secretary Datuk Seri Azzuddin Ahmad confirmed the news.

"We recently got an announcement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that the AFF Cup now offers international ranking points," Ahmad said on espnfc.com.

"We had got our 11 member associations to make an appeal to the AFC. Through their backing and support, the AFF Cup has now risen in prestige.

"This tournament has been offering encouraging figures not only in this region, but throughout the world. It is our premier tournament, our gold bank to market comprehensively."

Other proposed changes will also see the Cup doing away with its qualifiers, and the two groups decided on a home and away basis. 

VNS