Indonesia wins 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup title

Indonesia has won the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, marking its first senior-level trophy since the 1991 SEA Games. The victory was secured through a dramatic penalty shootout against Thailand, where goalkeeper Emil Audero made a decisive save against Nattapong Sayriya.

The championship follows a tournament run characterized by late-game heroics, including two injury-time goals against Bangladesh and the final shootout victory. The success of the squad is attributed to a significant naturalization program over the last two years, which integrated several diaspora players into the national team. Key contributors include Emil Audero, Kevin Diks, Ole Romeny, Dean James, and Joey Pelupessy, alongside established players such as Justin Hubner, Calvin Verdonk, Thom Haye, and Ragnar Oratmangoen.

The naturalization process utilized FIFA regulations regarding family lineage, allowing players with Indonesian ancestry to represent the nation. This process was facilitated by government cooperation involving the Ministry of Law, the House of Representatives, and presidential decrees.