LAHORE — The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Tuesday officially announced that the men’s national football team will make its historic first appearance in a FIFA-sanctioned tournament at the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup later this year.
The tournament, set to be held over an extended 16-day international window in September and October in Indonesia, represents a significant milestone for Pakistani football.
🏆FIFA ASEAN CUP 2026 GROUP STAGE DRAW CONFIRMED
The tournament will feature two levels: Division 1 and Division 2. Division 1 matches will be played in Indonesia, while Division 2 will be hosted in Hong Kong, China. pic.twitter.com/OzqfYlxaAL
— ASEAN FOOTBALL (@theaseanball) July 29, 2026
Tournament Structure & Host Details
Pakistan has been invited as one of three guest teams to compete in the main tier of the competition hosted by Indonesia. The event features a two-tier format aimed at promoting regional competition and giving more national teams meaningful match experience.
- Main FIFA ASEAN Cup (Indonesia): Includes eight teams — Pakistan, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and host nation Indonesia.
- FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup (Hong Kong): Features Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, host Hong Kong, and China.
- Match Format: Both tiers will follow a single round-robin group stage based on international rankings. The group winners will advance directly to the final, while second-placed teams will play in a third-place playoff.
Leadership Statements
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed the invitation from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, describing it as recognition of the progress made by Pakistani football, especially after the women’s team’s recent participation in the FIFA Series.
| Entity | Key Official | Official Stance / Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) | Syed Mohsen Gilani (President) | “Pakistan is ready to mix it with the big boys. Pakistan football has well and truly arrived at the global stage.” |
| FIFA | Gianni Infantino (President) | Stated the event was created to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities and strengthen football ties. |
“The FIFA ASEAN Cup represents a huge opportunity for our men’s team to play high-profile competitive matches against some of the top teams in Southeast Asia during the extended 16-day international window.”
— Syed Mohsen Gilani (PFF President)
