Jakarta. The wait is over. Indonesia has officially been selected to host the inaugural 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, with Jakarta and West Java set to serve as the main venues for the tournament, which will run from Sept. 21 to Oct. 3, 2026.

The confirmation came after a multi-agency kickoff meeting hosted by the Youth and Sports Ministry on Monday. The meeting focused on coordinating preparations to meet FIFA's host contract requirements.

Two world-class venues have been confirmed to stage the tournament's matches: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (SUGBK) in Jakarta and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java.

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said Indonesia's successful bid to host the tournament was made possible by President Prabowo Subianto's full support, including an official government guarantee issued to FIFA, football's global governing body.

"President Prabowo issued a direct government guarantee to FIFA, and FIFA has officially responded, confirming us as the hosts," Erick told reporters following the meeting at the ministry's headquarters in Central Jakarta.

Erick said the inter-agency meeting, which brought together representatives from the Finance Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, National Police (Polri), Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry, as well as local authorities including Jakarta's Youth and Sports Office and the West Java Regional Secretariat, marked the official start of preparations for the tournament.

He stressed that close coordination among government agencies would be essential to ensure smooth operations across the two host regions.

"The matches taking place in Jakarta and West Java will require a unified effort to guarantee the event's success. Today's inaugural meeting marks our official kickoff as organizers of the FIFA ASEAN Cup," he said.

A New Chapter for Southeast Asian Football
For Indonesia, hosting the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup goes beyond staging another international football tournament. It marks a historic milestone as the first FIFA-backed tournament specifically focused on Southeast Asia, with Indonesia selected to host its inaugural edition.

"This is a historic moment for our nation as the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup makes its debut right here in Indonesia. Praise be to God, today's inter-agency meeting underscores the full backing of President Prabowo's administration for this landmark event," Erick said.

He said hosting the tournament aligns with President Prabowo's broader vision of using sport as a tool for international diplomacy and national unity.

"President Prabowo hopes to see major international events like the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup hosted regularly in Indonesia, both now and in the years ahead. He strongly believes that sport is not only a unifying force for the nation, but also a powerful medium to showcase Indonesia's strengths to the world," Erick said.

While the tournament dates and primary venues have been confirmed, the participating nations and group-stage draw have yet to be announced. Erick said the final announcement would be made by FIFA, with Indonesian authorities awaiting formal confirmation of the tournament bracket and match schedule.

"We are waiting for FIFA's final list of participants and match schedules. We hope to receive an official update directly from FIFA within the next day or two," Erick said.

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