FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will take place from September 24 to October 5 with two divisions. In Division 1, the Indonesian team will play the role of host, playing in Group A with the Malaysian, Singaporean and Bangladeshi teams. If they top the group, they will meet the top team in Group B (Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines) to compete for the championship.
Unlike the ASEAN Cup, where the Indonesian team was eliminated right in the group stage, at the first FIFA ASEAN Cup held, the archipelago team called up the strongest squad with a series of stars playing in Europe.
Goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who is currently playing for Ajax Amsterdam, is one of the names called. Paes once played very impressively in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading his team to the 4th Asian qualifying round.
According to Paes, FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will be an important milestone in the development of Southeast Asian football. With countries being able to call up players playing in Europe, America and elsewhere in the world, he believes that this tournament can improve competitive standards throughout the region.
This is a positive development step, not only for Indonesia but also for all participating countries. It will improve the level of Southeast Asian football," Paes shared on FIFA's homepage.
With Paes, he emphasizes that he is in an environment that values ambition and the spirit of victory. At Ajax club, he competes for a position with world-class goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. As for the Indonesian national team, he is also striving to earn a starting spot with Emil Audero.
For this goalkeeper, that competition only motivates him to try harder. "The more you face strong opponents, the more motivated you are to become the best version of yourself," Paes said.
He emphasized that his relationship with Audero is still a mutually supportive and close relationship. Regardless of who coach John Herdman chooses to play, Indonesia's interests are still put first. "The older I get, the more important I see Garuda winning - not me or Emil starting. In Indonesia, we say we must sacrifice our ego for the team. And that's what we are doing," Maarten Paes emphasized.
The same principle is also the foundation for his ambition at the ASEAN Cup, where Indonesia has home advantage. This goalkeeper is determined to win the championship with the Indonesian team to repay the support of the fans over the years.
For me, the goal is to win the championship cup. I really want to raise the title in front of home fans and repay the support they have given us over the years," Paes said.
Not just simply winning a title, Paes hopes this success will help Indonesia be more confident before the 2027 Asian Cup, a tournament where they are in the same group as Japan, Qatar and Thailand.
