China Reportedly Pulls Out of FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as Focus Shifts to Asian Cup Preparation

China is reportedly set to miss the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after deciding to prioritize its long-term preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. While the new regional tournament is expected to feature Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, along with several invited teams from outside the region, China has chosen to concentrate on more strategic international fixtures instead.

The competition is scheduled to take place between September and October 2026 and is expected to be hosted in Jakarta. Although FIFA has yet to officially confirm the tournament format or the final list of participants, reports have suggested that China, India, and Hong Kong were among the invited non-ASEAN teams for the inaugural edition.

News of China's reported withdrawal first surfaced through ASEAN Football on social media, which claimed that FIFA has already begun searching for another invited nation to replace China. However, the Chinese Football Association has not released an official statement regarding the reported decision.

According to Chinese media outlet Sohu, the move is linked to China's preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, where the team has been drawn into a challenging group alongside Iran, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan. The coaching staff reportedly believes that facing opponents with similar playing styles to those teams will provide more valuable preparation than participating in the ASEAN tournament.

As part of that strategy, China is expected to arrange September FIFA Matchday friendlies against teams such as Uzbekistan, North Korea, Tajikistan, and Palestine. If the withdrawal is officially confirmed, FIFA will need to invite another nation to fill China's place, while the tournament's official participant list and competition format remain under wraps.