Japanese air conditioning specialist DAIKIN, with over a century of global experience, has confirmed its role as a sponsor for ASEAN United FC. This follows the official announcement by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) on June 28. The partnership was formalized through SPORTFIVE, AFF’s exclusive commercial partner.
With this announcement, DAIKIN will support four premier competitions under the ASEAN United FC banner: the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup, ASEAN Women’s MSIG Cup, and the ASEAN U-23 Championship.
“This partnership marks a significant step for DAIKIN in ASEAN and Oceania. Football unites passion, energy, and human connection, closely aligning with the lifestyle of future generations. These are the people whose comfort we aim to support through better air,” stated Tsutomu Kurihara, President of Daikin Industries (Thailand) Ltd., during the announcement.
He noted that this aligns perfectly with DAIKIN’s core mission of “Perfecting The Air.” This guiding principle reflects the company’s belief that high-quality air is the foundation of health and performance.
As part of its official sponsorship, DAIKIN—a brand renowned for its innovative air conditioning solutions—will launch a special campaign titled “Breathe the Win.” Designed to bring DAIKIN’s broader vision to the tournaments, the campaign aims to share inspiration, face challenges together, and strive for victory as one unified force. “Through this partnership, we hope to help build a healthier and more connected future for communities across the region,” added Tsutomu Kurihara.
DAIKIN’s involvement in the ASEAN United FC initiative has been highly praised by the AFF. “DAIKIN is one of the most respected brands globally, known for its commitment to innovation, excellence, and improving quality of life. We are honored to welcome DAIKIN into the ASEAN football family as an Official Partner of the ASEAN United FC events,” said Major General Khiev Sameth, President of the AFF.
He further emphasized that Daikin’s dedication to connecting and enriching communities across Southeast Asia aligns seamlessly with the AFF’s vision to advance football development, strengthen competitions, and create positive regional impact. “Together, we look forward to bringing the unifying spirit and power of football closer to millions of fans throughout ASEAN.”
Speaking at the same event, Seamus O’Brien, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at SPORTFIVE Asia, remarked, “We are delighted to welcome Daikin, a dominant ASEAN brand and widely recognized name, as the official partner of these four premier football competitions in the region.” Centered under the ASEAN United FC marketing platform, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup™, ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™, ASEAN Women's MSIG Cup™, and ASEAN U-23 Championship™ collectively represent the most-watched and widely participated tournaments in the area. “As an official sponsor, DAIKIN will gain unprecedented access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, further strengthening its market dominance.”
