FIFA Officially Appoints Indonesian National Team as Host of Division I FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, These Are the Potential Opponents!

FIFA appoints the Indonesian National Team as host of Division I FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, (Photo: PSSI)

FIFA officially appointed the Indonesian National Team as the host of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Division I which will be held in September and October 2026. Then the question arises, how come FIFA appointed Indonesia as the host of the inaugural edition of the FIFA ASEAN Cup?

Apart from having the most magnificent stadium in Southeast Asia, PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir also has good relations with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino. This factor is alleged to be the main reason Indonesia is trusted to host the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Division I.

1. Potential opponents for the Indonesian National Team in Division I FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

So, who are the potential opponents for the Indonesian National Team in Division I of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup? Based on a report by The Straits Times, there are eight countries that will take part in Division I of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Of the eight countries, two of them are invited countries, namely China and India. Based on the current FIFA ranking, the eight participating countries in Division I of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup are Thailand which is ranked 93rd in the world, China (94), Vietnam (99), Indonesia (122), the Philippines (135), India (136), Malaysia (138) and Singapore (147).

The eight countries above will be divided into two groups, each group containing four teams. Later, each team will undergo three group phase matches. The team that finishes as champion in each group qualifies for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup final.

2. FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Prizes

Still according to The Straits Times, FIFA is preparing extraordinary prizes for the winners of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. FIFA is preparing a prize of USD 1 million or the equivalent of IDR 17 billion!