FIFA's power play in Southeast Asia

Infantino's surprise ASEAN Cup plan blends sport, politics and financial ambition

20251111 ASEAN Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, right, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attend a signing ceremony for an ASEAN-FIFA memorandum of understanding in football development on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26.  © Reuters

JOHN DUERDEN

SEOUL -- FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a surprise announcement at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26 that could have far-reaching consequences for soccer and other sports in the region of 650 million people.

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