BREAKING: Vietnam national team receives great news from FIFA ASEAN Cup

The price for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 broadcast rights has dropped to $2.6 million, signaling a positive development that raises expectations among Vietnamese supporters to enjoy the entire competition.

According to the latest updates, FIFA’s commercial partner has lowered the TV rights fee for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 to approximately $2.6 million, which equals nearly 68 billion VND. Previously, the tier-1 rights package, covering matches from both Division 1 groups, was offered at around $3 million, or more than 78 billion VND.

Although the new price is about $400,000 lower, as of now no Vietnamese broadcaster has officially secured the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 rights. One major domestic television station is still in negotiations to find a mutually acceptable price.

India’s withdrawal changes the rights scenario

The price reduction comes amid significant changes in the participating teams for the tournament. India has officially pulled out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 to prioritize a friendly match against Brazil on October 3.

Originally, Division 1 was set to feature eight teams split into two groups. Group A was to include Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore, while Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan were placed in Group B.

With India’s withdrawal, Group A now consists of only Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. This could affect the number of matches, the schedule, and how the finalists are determined. For broadcasters, this is a crucial factor when evaluating the value of the entire rights package.

Fewer matches mean that the average cost per match could rise if the rights fee is not adjusted accordingly. Additionally, the absence of India removes a team from a market of over 1.4 billion people.

Vietnam remains a key audience draw

Nevertheless, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 still holds strong appeal in Vietnam, as the national team is competing in Division 1. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad is in the same group as Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Notably, the Vietnam-Thailand clash is expected to attract huge interest from fans. Unlike the traditional ASEAN Cup, the FIFA ASEAN Cup is held during the FIFA Days from September 24 to October 3, allowing teams to call up their strongest squads.

The tournament is also directly managed by FIFA and carries weight in the FIFA rankings. The Division 1 champion is expected to receive $1 million in prize money, while the total prize pool exceeds $4 million.

However, at a price of $2.6 million, broadcasters still need to weigh the potential for recouping costs through advertising, viewership, and the overall commercial value of the tournament.

Therefore, FIFA’s reduction in the rights fee is a positive signal, but it is not enough to immediately close the deal. Vietnamese broadcasters must reassess the entire product after the tournament’s format changed and one team dropped out.