FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Ordinary Congress in Manila, Philippines, declaring that collaboration on tournaments such as the FIFA ASEAN Cup™ is "absolutely vital" to football's growth across Southeast Asia.

The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup™ took centre stage during the September/October international window, hosted in Indonesia, alongside the first-ever FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup™ in Hong Kong, China. Eleven AFF member associations — collectively representing more than one billion people — took part across both competitions. Over 70,000 fans packed the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta to witness Indonesia defeat Thailand and claim the FIFA ASEAN Cup™ title.

A region on the rise

The two tournaments extend a remarkable run of football activity in the region. Indonesia hosted a FIFA Series 2026™ event this year, Thailand co-hosted the maiden FIFA Women's Series™, and the Philippines staged the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup™ in 2024.

"The work that you do in organising competitions and events in the region for girls, for boys, for women and for men is absolutely vital for the growth of football and the popularity of football in such an important part of the world," Infantino told AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth and delegates. "We have to do that much more in collaboration."

Looking ahead, FIFA's support for the region will increase substantially over the next four-year funding cycle. Each FIFA Member Association will become eligible for up to USD 25 million through the FIFA Forward programme and the FIFA Surplus Solidarity Programme — funding earmarked for infrastructure improvements and broader development projects. The AFF's own allocation, currently USD 60 million across four years, will also rise to support regional competition organising.

U-15 milestone and global inclusion

Infantino highlighted the participation of all 12 AFF member associations in last month's inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™ in Azerbaijan. Five of those — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Timor-Leste — made their debut on the world stage at that tournament.

"Ninety per cent of the FIFA membership came, all of AFF was participating, every team scored at least one goal," Infantino said, adding that every participant had felt part of "the FIFA global football family." He expressed hope that future editions could include both boys and girls from the very first year.

Rizal Memorial Stadium to be transformed

Following the congress, Infantino joined Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement covering the redevelopment of the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

First opened in 1934, the stadium serves as the Philippines' primary home for men's and women's national team matches. A USD 15 million renovation — a joint venture involving FIFA, the PFF, the Philippine Sports Commission, Manila city government, and other stakeholders — will upgrade the venue into a 25,000-capacity state-of-the-art arena, complete with a new roof, with completion targeted for 2028.

"To build a stadium is more than just to build a venue where the national team can play," Infantino said. "To build a stadium is to give a smile, to give happiness, to give hope to a whole country."

Infantino also encouraged all AFF members to contribute to FIFA's ongoing governance review, led by a working group established following FIFA Council approval in mid-October. The group's conclusions are expected to be presented to the FIFA Council and subsequently the FIFA Congress next year.