A bigger stage for emerging football nations [TNS]

by Muhammad Ali Madani

For many years, international football has been dominated by countries that have strong football systems, better facilities and a long history of success in the sport.

Countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Spain regularly compete at the highest level while many other nations struggle to qualify for major tournaments.

The recently held FIFA ASEAN Cup offered a different picture. The tournament, held from September 24 to October 5, gave several countries with developing football systems the opportunity to compete in a FIFA tournament and play against teams from across the region.

The competition included the 11 ASEAN countries, along with guest teams Bangladesh, Pakistan and Hong Kong China. It was divided into two divisions, giving national teams the chance to play competitive matches instead of only friendly games. This is important because not having a highly developed sports infrastructure does not mean a country does not have talented football players. It can simply mean that football has not received enough attention compared with other sports.

A country may have young players with ability, but without good academies, regular competitions, proper coaching and international matches, it becomes difficult for those players to reach the highest level.

This is where tournaments such as the FIFA ASEAN Cup can make a difference.

Indonesia became the first champions of the tournament after defeating Thailand on penalties in the final. The victory was especially meaningful because Indonesia has a long but limited history in the FIFA World Cup. Its only World Cup appearance came in 1938, when it played as the Dutch East Indies during the colonial period.

Almost 90 years later, Indonesia was not only taking part in a major FIFA competition but also hosting it and winning the first edition.

Indonesia’s success shows that a country’s past record does not necessarily decide its future in football. With greater investment, better organisation and more opportunities for players, countries can improve over time.

The same can be said about other countries that took part in the tournament.

For football supporters, these competitions are also important. Fans in countries that regularly qualify for the World Cup are used to watching their national teams play against strong opposition. Supporters in countries that rarely qualify do not get the same experience.

A tournament such as the ASEAN Cup gives these supporters something to follow. It gives them a chance to watch their national team compete in meaningful matches and gives young fans players from their own country to look up to. This can also help increase interest in football.

When young people see their country’s players competing internationally, they may become more interested in playing the sport themselves. Parents may become more willing to send their children to football academies, while clubs and schools may also see greater demand for football programmes.

This can create a positive cycle. More interest can lead to more players. More players can create greater competition. Greater competition can push clubs and academies to improve, which can eventually lead to stronger national teams.

Pakistan’s participation in the FIFA ASEAN Cup is an important example of this. Pakistan has traditionally been known as a cricketing country. Cricket receives a large amount of public attention, while football has often remained in the background. However, this does not mean Pakistan lacks football talent.

Football clubs, academies and players across the country have continued to develop, often with limited resources. Many young players are also working on their own skills and trying to build careers in the sport.

Pakistan’s participation in the ASEAN Cup gave these players a chance to experience international football.

Pakistan drew 2-2 against the Philippines after coming back from two goals behind. It was an encouraging result because the Philippines were ranked much higher than Pakistan at the time. Pakistan also competed against Vietnam and Thailand, although it did not manage to reach the later stages of the tournament.

The results may not look extraordinary when compared with the achievements of the world’s biggest football nations. However, for Pakistan, taking part in a FIFA tournament alongside established football countries is still an important development.

It gives Pakistani players international experience that they cannot get from domestic football alone. They can learn how opponents from other countries play, understand the speed and physical demands of international football and gain confidence from competing at a higher level.

Pakistan can also use this experience to show that football can become another important part of the country’s sporting identity.

This does not mean that Pakistan needs to move away from cricket. Cricket is an important part of the country’s sporting culture and will probably remain so. But there is no reason why Pakistan cannot develop football at the same time.

What is needed is more organised development. Better academies, improved grounds, regular domestic competitions, better coaching and more international matches can all help.

India’s involvement in the tournament also showed the growing importance of football in South Asia. India was invited as a guest team but later decided not to participate because it wanted to prioritise its friendly match against Brazil.

For India, playing against a five-time World Cup champion was considered an important opportunity. For countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, however, the ASEAN Cup offered a different but equally useful opportunity to gain international experience.

This is one of the main differences between a tournament such as the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the FIFA World Cup.

The World Cup is the highest level of international football, but only a limited number of countries can qualify. For countries that are still developing their football systems, reaching the World Cup can seem like a very distant goal.

Competitions such as the ASEAN Cup can provide a step towards that goal.

A country cannot improve its football team simply by hoping that more talented players will appear. Players need regular matches, good coaching and opportunities to compete against better opponents. They also need a football culture that encourages young people to take the sport seriously.

This is why tournaments involving developing football nations can be so important.

They can give players experience, supporters something to believe in and young people a reason to start playing. They can also encourage governments, businesses, schools and sports organisations to take football more seriously.

Indonesia will be remembered as the first champion of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. But the tournament can also be remembered for giving countries that do not regularly appear at major football competitions a chance to be part of one.

For Pakistan, the tournament should be seen as a positive step. The national team did not win the competition, but its participation showed that Pakistan can compete internationally and that its football journey does not have to be limited to domestic competitions.

There is still a long way to go. Pakistan needs better facilities, stronger football administration, more professional clubs and academies, and more regular international matches. But progress has to begin somewhere.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup has shown that football development is not only about the countries that already have the best facilities or the longest history in the sport.

For supporters in Pakistan and other emerging football nations, that opportunity can be just as important as a trophy.

Published in The News on Sunday, 11 October 2026