The new competition will feature two divisions. Division 1 matches will be staged in Indonesia, while Division 2 will be hosted by Hong Kong (China). FIFA is expected to announce the detailed match schedule at a later date.

Vietnam will compete in Group B of Division 1 with Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines.

Division 1

Group A: Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Singapore
Group B: Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan
Division 2

Group A: Hong Kong (China), Myanmar, Brunei
Group B: Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste

Among Vietnam's group-stage matches, the clash with regional rival Thailand is expected to be the standout fixture, while encounters with Pakistan and the Philippines also promise intriguing contests.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is the first regional international football tournament to be organized and managed directly by FIFA. It is separate from the traditional ASEAN Championship (ASEAN Cup) and will be played during the official FIFA international window from September 24 to October 3, 2026.

Holding the tournament during FIFA Days allows participating nations to call up their strongest available squads, including players based overseas. Match results will also count toward the FIFA Men's World Ranking under the weighting applied to official FIFA international fixtures.

Another notable feature of the inaugural tournament is its expanded scope beyond the 11 member associations of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). In addition to Southeast Asian teams, FIFA has invited Pakistan and Hong Kong (China) to participate, increasing the tournament's competitiveness while providing additional international experience for teams across the region.

Following the conclusion of Vietnam's campaign at the ASEAN Cup 2026, head coach Kim Sang Sik and his squad will immediately shift their focus to preparing for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Dai Nam