The ASEAN Cup is underway in Phnom Penh, with Southeast Asian national teams using the tournament as part of broader preparations for the 2030 Men’s World Cup. As the next World Cup cycle moves forward, regional qualification is set to begin next year in Asia, prompting countries to ramp up training and squad planning ahead of the campaign. Host Cambodia has started the group stage with two defeats, losing 2–1 to Singapore and 5–1 to Indonesia in Group A. The tournament also provides an early competitive setting for teams expected to contend in their qualification pathway, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. One outlet notes that Indonesia is the only team from the region to have reached the global stage at a World Cup, competing as the Dutch East Indies in 1938. Overall, sources frame the ASEAN Cup as an immediate on-field platform while teams look ahead to the longer qualification process for 2030.
ASEAN Cup kicks off as Southeast Asia teams start early 2030 World Cup planning
The ASEAN Cup is underway in Phnom Penh, with Southeast Asian national teams using the tournament as part of broader preparations for the 2030 Men’s World Cup. As the next World Cup cycle moves forwar...
- The ASEAN Cup is being held in Phnom Penh.
- Host Cambodia loses its opening matches in Group A: 2–1 vs Singapore and 5–1 vs Indonesia.
- Southeast Asian teams are preparing for the 2030 Men’s World Cup.
- Asian qualification for the 2030 World Cup begins next year.
- Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are cited as regional teams planning ahead for 2030 qualification.
Preparations for the next men's World Cup have already begun for teams in Southeast Asia, just weeks after Spain clinched the 2026 title. The ASEAN Cup has kicked off in Phnom Penh, and host Cambodia has already lost its opening games 2-1 to Singapore and 5-1 to Indonesia in Group A. With Asian qualification for the 2030 World Cup starting next year, Southeast Asia's soccer powerhouses such as Indonesia — the only team from the region to appear on the global stage, when it competed as the Dutch East Indies in 1938 — Thailand and Vietnam, have an opportunity to start preparations early.
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