Indonesia demonstrates readiness for inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup with Jakarta parade

Indonesia demonstrates readiness for inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup with Jakarta parade

Indonesia demonstrated its readiness to host the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup through a public parade in Jakarta on Sunday, September 13, 2026, as the country prepares to stage the first Southeast Asian football championship organized by FIFA.

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, who also chairs the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), emphasized Indonesia's credentials following its successful hosting of the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. That tournament, held from November 10 to December 2, 2023, marked the first time Indonesia hosted a FIFA event and attracted 437,575 spectators across 52 matches, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino praising Indonesia as a great host with exceptional hospitality.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, announced by Infantino on October 26, 2025, at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur following the signing of a memorandum of understanding, will run from September 25 to October 5. The tournament represents a significant development for regional football, being held within official FIFA international windows, which means clubs are obliged to release their players—a distinction from the ASEAN Championship, which has been held every two years since 1996 outside such windows.

The Roll to Glory parade

The Roll to Glory FIFA ASEAN Cup Family Parade began at Gate 6 of the historic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which has a capacity of 77,193 and has served as a centerpiece for Indonesian sports since opening in 1962 for the Asian Games. The event proceeded to the HI Roundabout, coinciding with Jakarta's weekly car-free day.

Thohir, who was elected PSSI chairperson on February 16, 2023, and appointed as Minister of Youth and Sports on September 17, 2025, with FIFA clearance to hold both positions simultaneously, expressed confidence that Indonesia would provide a safe and comfortable environment for participating teams and supporters. His experience includes serving as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, where he led Indonesia to its highest achievement in that event's history.

The parade featured Indonesian football legends including Ismed Sofyan, Aliyudin, and Atep, alongside three FIFA officials. The event introduced the tournament trophy and featured a giant ball to raise public awareness and enthusiasm.

Thohir expressed optimism about the Indonesian national team's prospects in the championship, which will involve 11 ASEAN countries and three guest teams. The competition is divided into Premier Division and Challenge Division, with Indonesia and Hong Kong serving as hosts respectively. The Division 1 champion is reported to receive a prize of US$1 million, with the total prize pool estimated at US$4 million.

Tournament structure

Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines are placed in Division 1 alongside Bangladesh and Pakistan. Division 2 will feature Hong Kong, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.

In the Division 1 draw, Indonesia was placed in Group A with Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Singapore, while Thailand will face Vietnam, Pakistan, and the Philippines in Group B. Co-host Hong Kong will meet Laos and Brunei Darussalam in Group A of Division 2, with Group B comprising Cambodia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste.

Group winners will automatically advance to the finals of each division to compete for the trophy. The tournament comes as regional sides continue competing in the ASEAN Championship, where Thailand holds the record with seven titles and Vietnam are the current defending champions.