SEPANG, July 30 — Interim Harimau Malaya head coach Tan Cheng Hoe has admitted that the draw for the 2026 Asean Fifa Cup in Jakarta, scheduled from September 24 to October 3, has placed Malaysia on a difficult path.
He said Malaysia are expected to face stiff competition as every team in the group possesses its own strengths, particularly hosts Indonesia, whom he described as one of the favourites to win the title.
“We also cannot underestimate Singapore, who are preparing for the AFC Asian Cup.
“India are also in this group, and I see Indonesia as the favourites,” he told reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
For the record, the 2026 Asean Fifa Cup is the inaugural edition of the tournament to be organised under the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) calendar, allowing participating teams to earn Fifa world ranking points.
Under the competition format, there will be no semi-finals.
The winners of each group will advance directly to the final, while the runners-up will contest the third-place playoff.
The Division 1 champions will receive prize money of US$1,000,000. — Bernama
