Indonesia Crowned Inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup Champions

JAKARTA – Indonesia made football history by becoming the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup champions after defeating Thailand 4-2 on penalties in a dramatic final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The final ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, forcing the first edition of the regional tournament to be decided from the penalty spot.

Indonesia took the lead through Dean James in the 84th minute, but Thailand responded only three minutes later when Iklas Sanron levelled the score.

Thailand then moved ahead in extra time through Peeradol Chamratsamee in the 111th minute. Indonesia responded five minutes later, with Elkan Baggott scoring in the 116th minute to send the final into a penalty shootout.

The match became even more difficult for Thailand after defender Nicholas Mickelson was sent off following his second yellow card during the final stages of regulation time. Indonesia, however, still needed penalties to finally settle the contest.

Thailand missed two penalties through Sarach Yooyen and Nattapong Sayriya, allowing Indonesia to complete a 4-2 shootout victory and lift the first-ever FIFA ASEAN Cup trophy.

The victory also ended Indonesia's long wait for a win over Thailand. FIFA noted that Indonesia had gone eight matches and around 10 years without defeating the Southeast Asian powerhouse before finally breaking the run in the most important match of the tournament.

Indonesia's route to the final had already been impressive. The hosts opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Singapore before producing a remarkable 9-2 win against Bangladesh in their final Group A match. Mitchell Baker scored five goals in that game as Indonesia finished the group stage as the tournament's highest-scoring team.

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup was the tournament's inaugural edition, featuring 14 national teams, including all 11 ASEAN members and three guest nations. The competition was staged in Indonesia and Hong Kong, China, from September 24 to October 5.

For Indonesia, the victory represents more than a regional trophy. It marks a historic first chapter for the Garuda in a new FIFA competition and gives the country its place in the tournament's history as its first-ever champion.