India have been drawn in Group A of Division 1 for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, with the draw taking place on Wednesday.
The Blue Tigers will face hosts Indonesia, along with Malaysia and Singapore, in the group stage of the tournament. All Division 1 group-stage matches will be played in Indonesia.
Group B features Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, setting up an intriguing competition among eight teams in Division 1.
Meanwhile, Division 2 will consist of six teams divided into two groups. Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia and Timor-Leste will participate in this division, with Hong Kong set to host all the matches.
The ASEAN Cup was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in 2025 as part of an initiative to strengthen football development and provide greater international exposure to teams across the Southeast Asian region.
The inaugural tournament is scheduled to take place during the FIFA International Match Window from September 21 to October 6, 2026.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup will be staged alongside the ASEAN Championship, the region’s established biennial international competition that has been held since 1996. Thailand are the most successful team in the history of the ASEAN Championship, having lifted the title seven times.
Indonesia holds a unique place in the region’s World Cup history. It remains the only Southeast Asian nation to have appeared at the FIFA World Cup, having competed as the Dutch East Indies in the 1938 edition.
For India, the tournament will provide a valuable opportunity to test themselves against familiar and competitive Southeast Asian opposition, while also gaining important international match experience ahead of future continental challenges.
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
