Pakistan invited to inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in landmark first for men’s team

By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s men’s national football team will compete in a FIFA-organised tournament for the first time after being invited to the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said on Tuesday.
The tournament, scheduled to be played during the September-October international window, marks another milestone for Pakistan football following the women’s national team’s participation in the FIFA Series earlier this year.
Pakistan are among 14 teams taking part in the competition and one of eight teams set to compete in the top-tier FIFA ASEAN Cup, which will be hosted by Indonesia. They are one of three invited nations, with the remaining participants drawn from Southeast Asia.
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani welcomed the invitation, describing it as another historic achievement for Pakistan football.
“The Pakistan Football Federation is extremely thankful to FIFA President Gianni Infantino for presenting us with the opportunity to participate in our second-ever FIFA event,” Gilani said in a statement.
“After the women’s national team participated in the FIFA Series, it is now the turn of our men’s national team to take part in their maiden FIFA event when they feature at the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.”
Gilani said the tournament fulfilled a commitment made during his campaign for the PFF presidency to secure greater international exposure for Pakistan’s national teams.
“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 in September/October,” he said.
“It is also a step that reaffirms our commitment to provide our national teams with competitive matches at every opportunity possible.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the competition had been created to expand meaningful international playing opportunities within the men’s match calendar.
“The FIFA ASEAN Cup was launched to provide national teams with meaningful competitive opportunities within the Men’s International Match Calendar, giving players the chance to represent their countries in high-intensity regional rivalries,” Infantino said.
“The tournament will strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia while delivering unforgettable moments and fantastic international action for fans throughout the region.”
The competition will feature two tiers. The top-tier FIFA ASEAN Cup will include hosts Indonesia alongside Pakistan, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The second-tier FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup, hosted by Hong Kong, China, will feature Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste.
Teams will be placed into groups based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking. Each tier will be divided into two groups playing a single round-robin format, with group winners advancing to the final and runners-up contesting a third-place playoff.
Gilani said Pakistan viewed the tournament as an opportunity to test themselves against stronger opposition.
“It is time to dream big. We are not content with playing in development competitions. Pakistan is ready to mix it with the big boys. Pakistan football has well and truly arrived at the global stage,” he said.