Cambodia, Hong Kong and China advance to final in Div 2

HONG KONG, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Hong Kong and Cambodia will face off in the FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup final on Saturday, after both teams secured their places in the knockout stage following the completion of the group stage on Wednesday, according to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The match marks the culmination of the tournament, where Hong Kong, China, and Cambodia will vie for the regional title. Meanwhile, the AFC also confirmed other high-profile football developments across Asia, including Thailand’s advancement in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, South Korea and Japan’s clash for the Asian Games men’s football gold medal, and Saudi Arabia’s continued dominance in the Gulf Cup 2026.

Hong Kong, China, and Cambodia emerged as the top two teams in their respective groups, ensuring their spot in the final. Thailand, meanwhile, secured a 2-0 victory over Vietnam in their FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Group B match on Tuesday, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.

The AFC also highlighted that South Korea and Japan will contest the men’s football gold medal at the Asian Games for the third consecutive edition, following their semi-final victories on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al Dawsari will lead the national team in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, scheduled for January 2027, as hosts. The team further solidified their dominance in the Gulf Cup 2026 by defeating Iraq 2-0 on Tuesday, advancing to the semi-finals as Group A winners. Additionally, Australia and Iran suffered defeats in their international friendly matches on Tuesday, marking setbacks for both teams.

For Malaysian football fans, the FIFA ASEAN Challenge Cup final between Hong Kong and Cambodia holds regional significance, as it underscores the competitive depth of Southeast Asian football ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The tournament also serves as a precursor to the AFC Asian Cup 2027, where Malaysia will seek to improve on its past performances.

The next major step for these teams will be their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup, with Saudi Arabia’s hosting role adding further regional interest.