Jakarta. Indonesia has once again been entrusted with hosting an international football event. This time, Indonesia will officially host the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, a new tournament under FIFA that will bring together teams from across Southeast Asia.

However, the name FIFA ASEAN Cup may sound familiar to Indonesian football fans. Southeast Asia has long had its own regional international tournament, widely known as the AFF Championship or ASEAN Championship.

This comes shortly after the Indonesian national team competed in the AFF Championship. So, is the FIFA ASEAN Cup actually the same tournament as the AFF Championship?

Same ASEAN Region, Different Organizers
Although both tournaments carry the ASEAN name and feature teams from Southeast Asia, the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the AFF Championship are two separate competitions.

The most fundamental difference lies in their organizers. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a tournament under FIFA, the world federation of football. Meanwhile, the AFF Championship, now known as the ASEAN Championship, is organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), the regional football governing body for Southeast Asia.

Both are regional competitions, but they operate under different governing bodies. The AFF Championship was established much earlier and has become one of the most prominent football tournaments in Southeast Asia since its inaugural edition in 1996.

Meanwhile, FIFA introduced the ASEAN Cup in 2025, with its inaugural edition set to take place in Indonesia from Sept. 21 to Oct. 3, 2026.

The new tournament is part of FIFA's efforts to further develop football competition in the Southeast Asian region.

Different Teams Format
The two tournaments also differ in terms of their participating teams. The AFF Championship is exclusively contested by AFF member associations from Southeast Asia. In contrast, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will determine its participants based on FIFA rankings, with the teams divided into Division 1 and Division 2.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup may also open the possibility of featuring invited teams from outside Southeast Asia. India and Hong Kong have been mentioned as potential participants in the inaugural edition of the competition.

This means that while the AFF Championship remains focused on competition among Southeast Asian nations, the FIFA ASEAN Cup could have a broader scope by allowing teams from outside the region to participate.

Different Tournaments, Different Atmosphere
If the AFF Championship already has its euphoria built on tradition and long-standing rivalries, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will begin its journey by creating a new kind of excitement as a newly established FIFA tournament.

The AFF Championship has built a strong following among Southeast Asian football fans over the years. Its long history and intense rivalries have made the tournament a highly anticipated event whenever it is held.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup, on the other hand, will have to build its own identity and following from the ground up. However, its status as a FIFA competition could provide a different appeal for football fans.

For Indonesian supporters, this could be another reason to look forward to the tournament. Indonesia will host the inaugural edition, giving local fans the opportunity to watch their national team compete on home soil. Playing in front of tens of thousands of supporters in the stadium could create a unique atmosphere for the new competition.

Match Schedule Gives Indonesia an Advantage
Another significant difference lies in the scheduling of the two tournaments.

The AFF Championship is held outside the official FIFA International Window. As a result, clubs are not obligated to release players called up to represent their national teams.

This situation has often prevented Indonesia from fielding its strongest squad, particularly players who ply their trade overseas, as their clubs have the right to retain them.

By contrast, the FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place from September to October 2026, coinciding with the FIFA International Window. This means clubs will be required to release players called up by their national teams in accordance with FIFA regulations.

This gives Indonesia a significant advantage and could allow the national team to field its strongest squad, provided all players are fit. As a result, John Herdman will have the opportunity to select his best players for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

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