FIFA President Infantino rewards ASEAN champions
Why it matters
The awarding of the winning teams of the ASEAN Cup by FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlights the growing importance of football in Southeast Asia. This tournament, designed to raise the profile of local players, represents a significant step towards promoting football in Asia, especially in view of the 2026 World Cup.
Context
The ASEAN Cup, created by Infantino and the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF), saw Indonesia triumph in its first edition. The competition highlighted the potential of football in the region, with teams such as Vietnam and Thailand demonstrating a high level of competitiveness.
Key points
- FIFA President Infantino rewards ASEAN champions.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino has honored the winning teams of the ASEAN Cup, Indonesia and Vietnam, on two occasions in the last month, underlining the importance of the tournament for Asian football.
- Chủ tịch FIFA hai lần trong một tháng trao giải ở Đông Nam Á - Báo VnExpress Thể thao.
The ASEAN Cup was conceived by Infantino and the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) as a major step for football in the region. The FIFA president described the tournament as a great addition to Asia's football calendar, aiming to raise the profile of local players at international level. In this first edition, the tournament saw the best teams participate, with host Indonesia taking the title together with second-placed Hong Kong.
This is not the first time that Infantino has rewarded the winning teams of the ASEAN Cup: on 26 August, in fact, he had already been present in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the final of the 2026 tournament, where he rewarded the winning team, Vietnam, after a match against Thailand. These trips to Southeast Asia are considered strategic for Infantino, who aims to garner support for his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, ahead of elections scheduled for March 2027.
On both occasions, Infantino was accompanied by the president of the Thai Football Federation, Nualphan Lamsam, also known as Madam Pang. Also in Jakarta, as in Hanoi, Lamsam had to witness the defeat of her national team in the final. Madam Pang plays a key role within FIFA, serving as Chair of the Development Committee, where she coordinates and manages investment and support projects for the 211 football associations around the world.
Erick Thohir, president of the Indonesian football federation PSSI and a well-known businessman and politician, expressed his support for Thailand's coach, Anthony Hudson, underlining the importance of continuing to invest in local football. Thohir, former owner and president of Inter Milan, described the success of the ASEAN Cup as a significant milestone in the long journey of reforms of Indonesian football, aimed at giving new life and visibility to national football, with ambitions to participate in future World Cups.
What happens now
Infantino is expected to continue his involvement in Southeast Asia, seeking to garner support for his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president. FIFA may also consider expanding its involvement in similar events to promote football in the region and prepare players for future international competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on October 5th regarding the ASEAN Cup?
On October 5, FIFA President Gianni Infantino honored the teams at the ASEAN Cup final in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the home team faced Thailand.
Who confirmed Infantino's presence at the ASEAN Cup?
Gianni Infantino's presence at the ASEAN Cup was confirmed through his speech during the final and the team awards ceremony.
Why is Infantino present in Asia in this period?
Infantino is present in Asia to gather support for his bid for a fourth term as FIFA president, ahead of elections scheduled for March 2027.
What changes has the ASEAN Cup brought about according to Infantino?
Infantino described the ASEAN Cup as an important addition to Asia's football calendar, with the aim of raising the profile of local players internationally.
Which teams participated in the first edition of the ASEAN Cup?
The best teams participated in the first edition of the ASEAN Cup, including Indonesia, which won the title, and Hong Kong, second place.
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