Brief

Indonesia win inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup as Infantino tours Southeast Asia

Indonesia defeated Thailand in a penalty shoot‑out to claim the new eight‑team ASEAN Cup, a tournament launched by FIFA amid Gianni Infantino’s Asian outreach.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:26:12 GMT

Indonesia claimed the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup on Saturday, beating Thailand in a penalty shoot‑out in front of about 70,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, according to the Guardian. The victory came after a week of high‑profile visits by FIFA president Gianni Infantino across Asia, including ceremonies in Macau, a stadium agreement in Mongolia and the opening of a mini‑pitch in Uzbekistan.

What happened

The eight‑team ASEAN Cup final was decided after regular time ended level, leading to a shoot‑out in which Indonesia prevailed. The tournament ran alongside a secondary “ASEAN Challenge Cup” held in Hong Kong, where Hong Kong defeated Cambodia 2‑0. Indonesia’s win was celebrated by a crowd estimated at 70,000, marking the first major trophy for the nation in Southeast Asian football.

What the reports add

The Guardian notes that the tournament was announced by Infantino in Kuala Lumpur last October, with the AFC reportedly uneasy about FIFA’s move into its traditional territory. Invitations were extended to China and India, both of which declined – India preferring friendlies against Brazil, Panama and Uruguay, and China later losing 5‑0 to Palestine in a separate fixture. Broadcasters were described as “not too enthusiastic,” and details about the competition were initially sparse.

What was said

The article contains no direct quotations, but attributes the description of Infantino’s tour and the regional reactions to the Guardian’s reporting.

How it came about

Infantino’s Asian itinerary, which included signing a stadium deal in Mongolia and opening a FIFA Arena in Uzbekistan, was framed as part of his push for support ahead of the upcoming FIFA presidential election. The Guardian links the new ASEAN Cup to this broader strategy, noting that the competition was announced at a regional meeting in Kuala Lumpur and quickly followed by a flurry of diplomatic activity.

Key facts

Indonesia won the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup by beating Thailand on penalties in Jakarta. (theguardian.com)
The final was attended by roughly 70,000 spectators at Gelora Bung Karno stadium. (theguardian.com)
Gianni Infantino visited Macau, Mongolia and Uzbekistan in the week before the final. (theguardian.com)
China and India declined invitations to take part in the new tournament. (theguardian.com)
Hong Kong won the secondary ASEAN Challenge Cup, beating Cambodia 2‑0. (theguardian.com)