India Set to Play in Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in 2026

India will participate in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup in 2026, scheduled to take place this September in Hong Kong and Indonesia. M Satyanarayan, Deputy Secretary General of the All India Football Federation, has confirmed to RevSportz that the national team will be part of the new regional competition, adding another assignment to India’s international calendar.

The tournament, launched by Gianni Infantino in October 2025, is scheduled to be held during the September 21 to October 6, 2026 international window. It will feature 14 teams, split into two divisions based on world rankings.

As things stand, India are expected to be in Division One alongside Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, China and Singapore. Division Two is likely to include Hong Kong, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and Timor-Leste.

The format will see eight teams divided into two groups in Division One, while six teams will compete in Division Two. There will be no semi-finals. Instead, group winners will face off to decide the champions of each division, while runners-up will play for third place. Each team is expected to play between two and four matches.

The tournament also offers substantial prize money. Each team will receive a participation fee of US$125,000, along with bonuses for wins and draws. The Division One champions will earn US$1 million, while Division Two winners will get US$300,000. The total prize pool is expected to exceed US$4 million.

For India, the competition provides a good opportunity to test themselves against stronger opposition. With limited exposure to high-intensity international matches in recent years, the ASEAN Cup could help the team push to a higher level.

The Indian team is also set to play in the Unity Cup in London, where they will face Jamaica in the semi-final on May 27.

With the Unity Cup and the FIFA ASEAN Cup coming up, India will have a chance to build rhythm and gain experience against quality sides.

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