Kuala lumpur: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cheng Hoe emphasized that Malaysia cannot underestimate Singapore, who are preparing for the AFC Asian Cup. Additionally, he highlighted India as another formidable opponent in the group, reaffirming his belief that Indonesia stands out as the favourites. Cheng Hoe shared these insights with reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

The 2026 ASEAN FIFA Cup marks the inaugural edition of the tournament, organized under the F©d©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) calendar. This allows participating teams to earn FIFA world ranking points, adding significance to the competition. Under the tournament format, there will be no semi-finals; instead, 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.