AFF President: 'Shopee Cup's success reflects Southeast Asian football's growth'

President of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), Major General Khiev Sameth, stated: The success of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2025/26 mirrors the robust growth of football in Southeast Asia.

Following the success of the first two editions, the Shopee Cup 2026/27 has been expanded from 14 to 16 of the region's top and most traditional clubs. Additionally, the tournament has added a quarterfinal round in the knockout stage. The total number of matches will increase from 40 to 56.

National league champions, runners-up, or domestic cup winners from ASEAN countries will participate alongside defending champion Buriram United, who earned a direct spot.

This list includes Shopee Cup 2024/25 runner-up Cong An Ha Noi, Malaysia's treble winner Johor Darul Ta'zim FC, and Indonesia's new treble champion Persib Bandung, making its debut in the competition.

Other newcomers joining the third season of Southeast Asia's most prestigious club competition, starting this September and running until next June, include Malaysia's Kuching City FC, Philippines' Manila Digger FC, and two Thai representatives: Port FC and Ratchaburi FC.

The group stage will feature two clubs each from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; one club from Cambodia; and two winners of the play-off round between national champions of Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Buriram United, winner of the first two Shopee Cup seasons, will face newcomers Kuching City and Ratchaburi FC in Group A. Familiar sides Borneo FC Samarinda and Tampines Rovers also return to the tournament, alongside the winner of the play-off between Kasuka FC (Brunei) and Manila Digger (Philippines).

In Group B, Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), a semi-finalist last season, will face Shopee Cup 2024/25 runner-up Cong An Ha Noi FC.

Thailand's Port FC will debut in the tournament, alongside returning teams such as PKR Svay Rieng FC and Lion City Sailors FC.

The group also includes newcomer Persib Bandung and the winner of the play-off between Ezra FC and Shan United FC.

The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, contested in a home-and-away format. The semifinals and final will also be played over two legs.

President of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), Major General Khiev Sameth, stated: "The success of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ 2025/26 reflects the strong development of Southeast Asian football and reminds us of what can be achieved when we move forward together.

The expansion of the tournament from 14 to 16 clubs in the 2026/27 season, along with the addition of the quarterfinal round, marks an exciting new chapter for ASEAN club football. With 12 extra matches, this expansion reflects the growing strength, ambition, and competitiveness of the region’s top clubs, while creating more opportunities for teams, players, and especially passionate fans to become part of ASEAN’s most prestigious club competition.

This growth is not just about numbers. It is also about raising football standards in the region, strengthening the professional football ecosystem, enhancing connections between countries, and inspiring excellence both on and off the field.

Together with Shopee, our partners, broadcasters, and exclusive commercial partner SPORTFIVE, we are building a tournament that belongs to all of ASEAN—one that celebrates regional talent and connects millions of fans through the power of football.

"The ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup is becoming an important platform for clubs to showcase their ambitions and contribute to the continuous development of Southeast Asian football on both regional and international stages."

Mr. Daniel Minardi, Business Partnership Director of Shopee Indonesia, shared: "At Shopee, we believe that sports have a unique ability to connect people and strengthen communities across the region.

We are grateful to the ASEAN Football Federation, SPORTFIVE, the participating clubs, and the fans for their continued partnership and contribution to the success of the tournament. Expanding to 16 clubs is not only a step forward in scale but also a testament to the relentless growth of regional football.

Buriram United, winner of two Shopee Cup seasons, continues to assert its position as the "king" of ASEAN club football.