Indonesia triumph in Infantino’s Asian brainchild but real impact could be votes
Indonesia won the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup, beating Thailand on penalties in front of 70,000 fans in Jakarta. The victory gave the hosts their first south-east Asian title and a successful finish to a tournament that Fifa president Gianni Infantino had championed, though its longer-term significance may be political.
Infantino has been visiting Asian football associations ahead of a Fifa presidential election, where support for him is divided. The new competition faced scepticism because the region already has a biennial Asean tournament; China and India declined invitations, and some broadcasters were slow to sign up. Its timing in an international window allowed teams to call on players based in Europe, while Indonesia’s dramatic 9-2 win over Bangladesh secured its place in the final.
- Indonesia beat Thailand on penalties to win the first Fifa Asean Cup.
- The tournament drew 70,000 fans to the Jakarta final.
- Infantino’s regional football push comes ahead of a contested Fifa election.
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The Fifa Asean Cup is a new football tournament for Southeast Asian nations championed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino. It features ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations competing for a regional championship, providing a fresh competition in the football calendar.
The tournament carries political significance beyond sport. Infantino is seeking re-election as Fifa president and has been visiting Asian football associations to strengthen his support ahead of the vote. By establishing new competitions in the region, he aims to build goodwill with Asian football leaders as he campaigns for their votes.
The competition faced initial scepticism, as Southeast Asia already hosts a biennial championship. Nonetheless, the tournament was scheduled during a period when clubs release their players for international duty, allowing teams to select their strongest players, including those based in Europe.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the new tournament view it as a valuable development that brings enhanced prestige and commercial investment to Asian football. The inaugural event's success—evidenced by strong Jakarta attendance, competitive matches, and Indonesia's historic title—demonstrates genuine popular appeal and meaningful competition that raises standards by allowing players from European clubs to participate. Infantino's advocacy for Asian football development represents legitimate engagement with emerging markets and reflects the sport's genuine need for stronger regional infrastructure and pathways.
The case against
Critics contend that the new tournament represents wasteful duplication, given that Asia already hosts a biennial Asean competition. The reluctance of major regional powers like China and India to participate, combined with broadcasters' sluggish uptake, suggests limited footballing significance or genuine market demand for another regional event. The tournament's creation appears primarily driven by Infantino's political interests—his visits to Asian associations ahead of his presidential election—rather than addressing any substantive gap in Asian football governance or competition.