Thailand to rely on youth in bid for Asean glory

Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson has signalled that the country's campaign at the Asean Championship Hyundai Cup 2026 may hinge on a new generation of players, with senior squad members likely to be unavailable due to club commitments.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) met on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the regional tournament, which runs through July and August, followed by the Fifa Asean Cup in September and October.

With the competition falling outside official Fifa windows, Hudson admitted that securing first‑choice players will be difficult as clubs focus on pre‑season schedules.

"We have to accept that the tournament overlaps with club duties," Hudson said after the meeting. "Our aim is to select players who are ready and whose clubs have approved their release. Most of the squad will be young rising stars, supported by experienced players in certain positions."

A training camp is scheduled to begin on July 14, though Hudson stressed that negotiations with clubs will continue until then. His plan is to build a balanced side, but the emphasis will be on youth development.

"The main target is to give opportunities to younger players," he explained. "We will look at the competition game by game, without putting pressure on them, and encourage everyone to bring their best performance."

Thailand's recent form has been uneven, a fact Hudson attributed to the absence of key personnel. He expects the upcoming tournaments to be a reset for the team.

Thailand, runners‑up in the last edition, have been drawn in Group B alongside Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Click here to read article