Pakistan Reportedly Invited to Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup

The Pakistan football team is set to make its debut appearance in the FIFA ASEAN Cup following an invitation to participate in the tournament, according to media reports.

FIFA has reportedly extended the invitation to Pakistan for the new competition, which is scheduled to take place in Indonesia from September 21 to October 6. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has also reportedly agreed to the country's participation.

The national team is expected to be placed in Division 1, joining a competitive lineup that includes Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India, and the host nation, Indonesia.

Local news outlets have attributed this unexpected inclusion to ongoing, behind-the-scenes discussions involving PFF President Mohsen Gilani and FIFA leadership. However, official confirmation was not yet available at the time of the report's filing.

Should this development be confirmed, it would represent a historic moment for Pakistani football, as it would be the country's first entry into a FIFA-backed tournament beyond standard World Cup and continental qualifying rounds.

Earlier this week, Pakistan secured its first stand-alone international crown in 74 years by defeating Afghanistan 2-0 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament at the National Stadium.

According to Dawn Pakistan, the news was published on June 14th, 2026.