2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup Group Draw Released; Pakistan Replaces China in Top Tier
The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup group draw has been announced, with Pakistan replacing China in the top-tier group after the Chinese Football Association declined the invitation. The top-tier teams include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Pakistan, divided into Group A (Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Singapore) and Group B (Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines). The second-tier group consists of Hong Kong China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Timor-Leste. The tournament will be held from September 21 to October 6, with top-tier matches in Indonesia and second-tier matches in Hong Kong China. Both tiers use a single round-robin format, with group winners advancing to the final and runners-up competing for third place. China will instead participate in a five-nation invitational tournament in Chongqing against Uzbekistan, North Korea, Tajikistan, and Palestine as preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup.
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