In fact, FIFA has recognized the AFF Cup as an official tournament with "A-class international" matches since 2016, and added points to the world football body's rankings. However, because the tournament does not take place during the FIFA Days calendar, the points coefficient is calculated at the lowest level in FIFA's scoring system.
The Thai team (dark shirt) only received 6.8 points from the entire 2022 AFF Cup championship tournament.
For example, the Thai team won the AFF Cup 2022 with a record of 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss, and was awarded only 6.8 points from the entire tournament. Meanwhile, in international friendlies of the A category in the FIFA Days calendar, such as the "War Elephants" victory over Syria (2-1) in October at the King's Cup, they were awarded much more points.
Therefore, the Thai press called the information from the ASEAN FOOTBALL page, saying: "Don't get too excited about the above information. Everything has not been clearly verified yet."
The AFF Cup 2024, which will take place from December 8 to January 5, 2025, is still not included in the FIFA Days schedule. Therefore, the idea that FIFA will add points to matches according to the "international A level 1" standard is completely unfounded.
In the future, if the AFF Cup takes place during the FIFA Days, it may be awarded FIFA points at the same level as the World Cup or EURO qualifiers. According to many sources, the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) is considering the possibility of organizing the AFF Cup in the future in the summer and during the FIFA Days, instead of at the end of the year and squeezing into the next year as it is now.
In addition, most national championships in the region have switched to a seasonal format in Europe (not within a calendar year), such as the ongoing 2024-2025 season. The AFF Cup is played at the end of the year as it is now and is not included in the FIFA Days schedule, meaning that the teams cannot call up their best players to compete because the clubs are not obliged to release them.
Regarding "A-class international" matches such as the AFF Cup, they have long been played according to FIFA regulations. This includes teams having to call up their best players, the list of which is sent to the FIFA Secretariat and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The main referee and assistant referees must have a FIFA license or higher. Each match must be at least 48 hours apart and a match report must be submitted...
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuc-hu-fifa-cong-diem-aff-cup-nhu-vong-loai-world-cup-euro-hoa-ra-la-185241207195710423.htm
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