The tournament, announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2025, aims to uplift football development across Southeast Asia. All Division 1 matches will be played in Indonesia during the international friendly window from September 21 to October 6, 2026. Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines make up Group B. Meanwhile, Division 2 features Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, and Timor Leste, hosted by Hong Kong. Though Thailand dominates the ASEAN Championship with seven titles, Indonesia remains the region’s only World Cup participant, having competed as the Dutch East Indies in 1938. This new tournament adds a fresh competitive dimension to regional football while spotlighting growth opportunities for nations like India and Pakistan.