AFF Applauds Regional Milestones and Welcomes Hyundai as New Title Sponsor

The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) convened its 9th Council Meeting on 4 July 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, chaired by AFF President Major General Khiev Sameth. The meeting was held alongside the Official Draw and Club Workshop for the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup™ 2025/26.

The Council extended its congratulations to Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hamidin bin Haji Mohd Amin on his appointment as Honorary President of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), recognising his longstanding contributions to regional football. AFF reaffirmed its strong partnership with FAM.

In recognition of international progress, the Council commended:

  • Australia, for securing a sixth consecutive qualification to the FIFA World Cup
  • Indonesia, for advancing to the Fourth Round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
  • All Member Associations preparing for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

In women’s and youth competitions, the Council congratulated:

  • The Thailand U19 Girls’ National Team, champions of the ASEAN U19 Girls’ Championship 2025
  • The Thailand Women’s Futsal Team, for reaching the final of the AFC Women’s Futsal Cup and qualifying for the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup 2025
  • The women’s futsal teams of Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines for their commendable performances

The Council celebrated Buriram United FC as the inaugural champions of the ACC Shopee Cup™, affirming the competition’s growing importance in elevating ASEAN club football.

A major highlight was the ASEAN All-Stars’ 1–0 victory over Manchester United FC in the Maybank Challenge Cup, played before 72,550 spectators at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The squad, comprising players from all 12 AFF Member Associations and led by Vietnam national team head coach Mr. Kim Sang Sik, was praised for its spirit and organisation. The match-winning goal was scored by Myanmar’s Maung Maung Lwin. The event raised RM1,000,000 for the Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation (YASA), presented during a pre-match gala and cheque ceremony.

The Council also congratulated the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) for its award-winning National Training Centre, and The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) for its state-of-the-art headquarters, both recipients of the FIFA Forward Gold Award.

Another key milestone was the introduction of Hyundai Motor as the new title sponsor of the ASEAN Championship, now officially named the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™. The Council welcomed Hyundai to the AFF family, underscoring the partnership’s significance in advancing the commercial and competitive stature of ASEAN football.

The Council also ratified the decisions of the AFF Competitions Committee, the Ad Hoc AFF Member Associations Development Programme Fund Committee, and the AFF Finance Committee.