Hong Kong to host new Fifa Asean Cup tournament, but local bosses silent on new deal
Division 2 of inaugural tournament that throws city’s team into new competition destined for city this year
Hong Kong appears poised to host the second tier of a new-look Fifa Asean Cup this year following an agreement reportedly reached ahead of the global governing body’s annual congress on Thursday in Vancouver.
There has been no confirmation over which sides will populate Division 1 and Division 2, but, according to rankings, the Hong Kong-hosted competition would likely feature Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the winners of a play-off between Brunei and Timor Leste, and the invited hosts.
Apparently set to be staged in Indonesia, the top flight would then involve Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and the home country.
Fifa, the Asean Football Federation and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) have all been approached for comment. None had answered by press time.
The most obvious timing for the competition would be during a newly introduced elongated Fifa window from September 21 to October 6.
Precedent would indicate a later date is possible, given that in its previous guises the competition has typically been played towards the end of the year. The 2024 Asean Championship, won by Vietnam, began in December of that year and spilled over into the following January.