Kuala Lumpur: FIFA and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have renewed their collaboration with the signing of a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The agreement was signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, in the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim. The renewed MoU builds on the foundations of the 2019 partnership, which supported joint initiatives such as the Football for Schools programme and regional efforts in health and education.
Under the new MoU, FIFA and ASEAN will strengthen cooperation in five key areas, including promoting sports integrity, using sport as a driver for social and economic development, advancing football both on and off the field, encouraging inclusion and equality, and supporting climate resilience through sustainable sporting practices.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today signed the ASEAN-FIFA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIFA President, Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a signing ceremony, ASEAN… pic.twitter.com/tbhqoFPyXx
— ASEAN (@ASEAN) October 26, 2025
As part of the expanded collaboration, FIFA announced the launch of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a new regional tournament designed to bring together ASEAN member associations. The event will follow a format similar to the FIFA Arab Cup, aiming to foster unity among Southeast Asian nations through football, enhance national team performances, and nurture emerging talent across the region.
Infantino said the new initiative would create a stronger football culture in Southeast Asia and provide valuable opportunities for players to compete at a higher level. “Football has the power to unite, inspire, and transform communities, and this partnership with ASEAN will help us take the game to even greater heights across the region,” he said.
FIFA will work closely with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), and individual member associations to finalise the tournament structure and calendar.
