FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Thailand rout Pakistan as tournament gets under way in Indonesia and Hong Kong

Pakistan lost 4-0 to Thailand in a FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 group-stage match in Indonesia on Thursday as the inaugural edition of the tournament kicked off. Premier Division fixtures are being held in Indonesia while Challenge Division matches are taking place in Hong Kong.

The competition features eight teams split into two groups in the Premier Division and six teams split into two groups in the Challenge Division; the tournament will conclude on 5th October with the Premier Division final scheduled for Jakarta. India were initially selected to take part but the All India Football Federation (AIFF) eventually decided to withdraw its participation after committing to play friendlies against Panama, Brazil, and Uruguay in this international window.

Thailand’s 4-0 victory over Pakistan in Premier Division Group B came through goals from Jude Soonsup-Bell and Teerasak Poeiphimai plus an own goal by Haris Zeb. The second group in the Premier Division comprises Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In Premier Division Group A, Malaysia opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh with Arif Aiman and Bergson among the scorers. In the other Group A fixture, 118th-ranked Indonesia defeated 10-man Singapore 2-0, with Oratmangoen and Ole Romeny on target for the Garuda.

Challenge Division Group A contains Laos, Hong Kong and Brunei; Laos beat Brunei 3-1 in the group opener and will meet Hong Kong on Sunday, with only the group winner guaranteed a place in the knockout stage.

Challenge Division Group B features Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor-Leste; Myanmar registered a 2-0 win over Timor-Leste with Win Tun and Paing on the scoresheet, and the group leaders will face Cambodia on Sunday with a strong chance of topping the group.

Laos versus Hong Kong and Myanmar against Cambodia are the confirmed Sunday fixtures as the group phase continues, ahead of the tournament’s scheduled conclusion on 5th October and the Premier Division final in Jakarta.