Singapore open their FIFA ASEAN Cup Group A campaign against hosts Indonesia on Friday 25 September 2026 at 9pm SGT at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Gavin Lee’s 23-man squad, named on 18 September, leans on a Faris Ramli recall and a first senior call-up for FC Jurong midfielder Haziq Topiq as the Lions step into FIFA’s new regional tournament.
Group A path
Friday’s kick-off is 20:00 WIB, which is 9pm in Singapore. The Lions then stay in Jakarta for Bangladesh on 28 September before facing Malaysia in Bandung on 1 October.
Division 1 has eight teams in two groups. Group winners meet in the final; runners-up play the bronze match. Singapore sit with Indonesia, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Group B holds Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines.
Squad notes that matter for Jakarta
Faris Ramli returns after a long knee lay-off. The Tampines Rovers winger’s last Lee call-up was in November 2025; he has been back in club action this season, including a goal against Shanghai Shenhua in the AFC Champions League Two.
Haziq Topiq earns his maiden National Team place after steady Singapore Premier League minutes with FC Jurong. Lee said the midfielder’s consistency and willingness to work for the group were decisive.
Defenders Safuwan Baharudin and Irfan Najeeb are also back after missing the recent ASEAN Championship. Striker Ikhsan Fandi is out with a rib injury. Lion City Sailors contribute 11 players to the 23, including captain Hariss Harun.
What the night means
The tournament runs 24 September to 5 October in Indonesia. Singapore arrive off a semi-final run at the ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup, including a first away win over Thailand since 2009, and with Asian Cup 2027 still on the longer calendar.
Friday at GBK is the first stress test: a host crowd, a short turnaround to Bangladesh, and a Causeway derby to close the group. The Lions’ opening night is set for 9pm SGT on 25 September.
