FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is seen as an opportunity for Thailand to avenge their debt to the Vietnamese team after the defeat in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final. However, the force issue is preventing the Golden Temple team from being completely assured.
According to information from Thai media, domestic clubs have repeatedly caused difficulties for the national team when they do not want to release key players. This may continue to become an obstacle if teams prioritize the schedule and benefits of the club.
Notably, this is not a new issue for Thai football. In previous gatherings, the national team once did not have a full force because clubs tried to keep players. Even at times, the voice of the teams was assessed to have a significant impact on the national team's gathering work.
This is even more noteworthy when Thailand used a force that was not the strongest at ASEAN Cup 2026. However, coach Anthony Hudson's team still advanced to the final and only lost to Vietnam with a total score of 2-4 after two legs.
After the tournament, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) aims to maximize support for the team at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The fact that the tournament takes place within the FIFA Days framework is expected to help coach Anthony Hudson have the opportunity to call up the best players, including faces playing abroad.
However, the personnel problem has not been completely solved. Meanwhile, Thailand will have to face Vietnam right in the group stage of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
The two teams are in Group B Division 1 with the Philippines and Pakistan. Thailand meets Pakistan on September 26 before facing Vietnam on September 29 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Indonesia.
This rematch is expected not only because of the predestined relationship between the two teams but also because of the possibility that Thailand can field a stronger squad than the ASEAN Cup 2026.
FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 takes place from the end of September to the beginning of October, in which Division 1 matches are held in Indonesia. The tournament is organized for the first time by FIFA according to a separate model for Southeast Asian teams, and the matches take place within the FIFA Days framework, creating conditions for teams to summon the best forces.
With Thailand, being able to gather all the key players will significantly affect the ambition to compete for the championship, especially when the Vietnamese team is the team that holds the ASEAN Cup 2026 championship and just overcame themselves in the final.
