Sport
India Faces Potential Withdrawal from FIFA ASEAN 2026 Tournament
India may withdraw from the upcoming FIFA ASEAN 2026 tournament due to a scheduling conflict with a friendly match against Brazil.
According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the FIFA ASEAN 2026 tournament, scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 3, faces uncertainty as India considers withdrawing from the competition. The tournament, a special event organized by FIFA for ASEAN nations with invited guests, is divided into two divisions, with Division 1 hosted in Indonesia and Division 2 in Hong Kong.
India’s potential exit stems from a scheduling conflict, as the national team is slated to play a friendly match against Brazil on October 3, which coincides with the tournament dates. This follows the earlier withdrawal of China, which pulled out of the event to prioritize friendly matches against North Korea, Uzbekistan, Palestine, and Tajikistan. Following China's departure, FIFA invited Pakistan to join the tournament as a replacement.
For residents and travelers in the region, this development highlights the fluid nature of the tournament's roster. While the event is intended to showcase football across ASEAN and invited Asian nations, the frequent changes in participating teams may impact match schedules and local sporting events. It remains to be confirmed whether India will officially withdraw and if FIFA will seek a replacement team should the vacancy arise. Fans and stakeholders are advised to monitor official announcements regarding the final tournament lineup.
Translated from Thai.
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