There is speculation that China and India may be part of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup which will take place in September to October this year, in addition to Hong Kong also hosting one of the groups.
There is also a lot of money on the table as the inaugural FIFA Asean Cup champions will also receive US$1 million (S$1.28 million) in prize money from the world football body.
This would be more than three times the amount Vietnam earned for lifting the 2024 ASEAN Football Federation Championship.
Every participating nation will reportedly also receive a guaranteed participation fee of US$125,000 (S158,400), with additional bonuses available for wins and draws throughout the competition.
The inaugural tournament will take place during the 21 September to 6 October international window.
More information appears to have surfaced at the recent FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April with information being shared also on various social media pages.
The Straits Times in Singapore has also reported that Division 1 is set to include eight teams separated into two groups, while Division 2 will feature six teams in two groups.
It is understood that the winners of each group will contest the division final, while the runners-up will play for third place.
Matches in one Division 1 group will be hosted in Indonesia, with the second venue still undecided, while all Division 2 matches are expected to be held in Hong Kong.
Based on current rankings, Division 1 is likely to feature Thailand, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Malaysia and Singapore and Division 2 is expected to include Hong Kong, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei and Timor-Leste.
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