KUALA LUMPUR: World football governing body FIFA has launched the FIFA Asean Cup, which will gather all 11 of the bloc’s member states in a regional football tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the tournament was created to inject new life into football in the region, as well as serving as a symbol of unity for Asean nations through the world’s most popular sport.
“This will have an impact not only on the Southeast Asian region but also across the world,” he told reporters after a signing ceremony on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on football development between Asean and FIFA today.
The MoU, signed by Infantino and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn, was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the 2025 Asean chair.
Also present were the leaders of all Asean countries.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and its Related Meetings.
The previous FIFA-Asean MoU was inked in Nov 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Infantino described the MoU between FIFA and Asean’s 11 member states as “very special.”
“The number 11 is a symbolic one in the footballing world as each football team comprises 11 players.
“This competition is meant to give a real boost to football with the best players within the framework of FIFA’s international match calendar, to make it really impactful not just in the region, but also to shine in the entire world.
“Football unites the world, and we are uniting the world together with the now 11 Asean countries.
“The FIFA Asean Cup will be a huge success in the region,” he said.
Asean, he said, was one of the world’s most dynamic regions in world football with more than 700 million active fans, making it one of the sport’s largest markets with high potential for development.
On the MoU, Infantino said the cooperation centres around several core principles, namely integrity in the game, a safe and secure environment for games, and education throughout football education, and football development in the whole region.”
“We want to ensure that football continues to grow in a safe environment, and nurture generations of young men, women, and children in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, Infantino was asked about FIFA’s alleged double standards in allowing Israel to participate in the World Cup qualifiers while Russia was suspended.
He replied that football should remain as a unifying force, not influenced by political or geopolitical issues.
“I am grateful to have witnessed the recent peace summit at Sharm el-Sheikh, which was attended by (United States) President Donald Trump and other leaders.
“We all support peace and unity as well as all efforts to unite humanity, and today, we also saw the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar, in his speech, thanked FIFA for its encouragement and support in developing football across the Asean bloc.
“Asean leaders are committed to supporting football — the people’s game, the game of youth.
“Football is a popular sport, and it is Asean’s priority in terms of building a new generation of leaders, giving them the exposure and training.
“I am especially thankful to FIFA for giving us the encouragement and support. You have the expertise and experience to share with our young people, particularly those poorer segments of our population, the urban youth, those in the rural and heartlands, to be able to obtain the same encouragement, advantage and support,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
