GENEVA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup will be held in China's Hong Kong and Indonesia's Jakarta and Bandung, from September 24 to October 5, bringing together 14 teams, FIFA announced Thursday.
Eleven members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and three guest teams will compete across two divisions.
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will be joined by guest teams Bangladesh and Pakistan in Division 1. Hong Kong, China, also a guest participant, will compete alongside Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste in Division 2.
FIFA said the tournament is designed to provide high-quality competition, strengthen regional ties and create new opportunities for fans to engage with football.
"The tournament will strengthen football ties across Southeast Asia while delivering unforgettable moments and fantastic international action for fans throughout the region," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. ■
