The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has just announced a preliminary list of 55 players selected by coach Anthony Hudson to prepare for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. This is an expanded list, before the British strategist finalizes 23 official players to participate in the tournament in Indonesia.
Notably, FAT included many experienced players in the list alongside factors who are in good form in the Thai League and playing abroad. Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda are all named.
The appearance of the veteran trio shows that coach Hudson still leaves open the possibility of using players who have played for the Thai national team for many years. Among them, Chanathip is one of the most influential midfielders in Thai football for many years, while Bunmathan has significant international playing experience in defense.
Dangda is also a name with a rich predestined relationship with the Vietnamese national team. The striker born in 1988 has faced the Vietnamese national team many times in regional tournaments and is one of the outstanding strikers of Thai football in his generation.
However, being named in the list of 55 players does not necessarily mean that these players will definitely participate in the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Coach Hudson will have to reduce the force to 23 people before the tournament starts.
Thailand's personnel problem became even more noteworthy when Suphanat Mueanta, Thanawat Suengchitthawon and Suphanan Bureerat withdrew due to injury. The fact that these three players could not participate caused the Thai coaching staff to recalculate the personnel plan in all three lines.
According to FAT's plan, coach Hudson will finalize the list of 23 players on September 14. The summoned players will gather on September 21 in Rangsit, before heading to Indonesia.
At FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Thailand is in Group B with Vietnam, Philippines and Pakistan. Notably, Thailand and Vietnam will have a rematch on September 29th at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.
This is a highly anticipated confrontation as the two teams have had many direct competitions in regional football. Thailand's inclusion of a series of veterans in the preliminary list also opens up the possibility that the match will continue to feature players who have made their mark in the confrontations between the two teams.
According to the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 format, the top team of Group B will qualify for the championship match against the top team of Group A, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh. The final is scheduled to take place on October 5th in Indonesia.
