SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Preparing for the next men’s tournament world cup Just a few weeks after Spain won the 2026 title, it has already begun for teams in Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN Cup began in Phnom Penh, with hosts Cambodia having already lost in their opening matches in Group A to Singapore 1-2 and Indonesia 1-5.
The biennial tournament attracts 10 national teams from a region of 650 million people, and coaches and players have more on their minds than trophies awarded in late August.
With the Asian qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup starting next year, Southeast Asian soccer powerhouses such as Indonesia (the only team in the region to compete on the world stage as the Dutch East Indies in 1938), Thailand and Vietnam have an opportunity to start preparing early.
ASEAN Football Confederation President Kiev Samet said it was within reach to qualify one more team from the region to the World Cup.
“I am convinced that our common dream of a Southeast Asian country participating in the FIFA World Cup is becoming increasingly possible,” he said. “I have absolute confidence that Southeast Asia will earn its place on football’s highest stage. When that moment arrives, it will be a proud achievement shared by the entire ASEAN football family.”
From the area, Indonesia This is the closest they have come to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. They have never won the ASEAN Cup, despite reaching the finals six times in the past 15 tournaments.
In January, Indonesia appoints John HardmanBritish tactician who coached the men’s national team and led Canada to its first World Cup appearance in 36 years.
After a big win over Cambodia, Indonesia will play East Timor on Friday, followed by games against Vietnam and Singapore next week.
“When I wake up every day, all I think about is this team going to the World Cup,” Hardman said ahead of the tournament. “This is where we’re supposed to be. When this country takes its first step, I want to be here.”
Indonesia has embarked on an intensive program of naturalized players from abroad eligible to represent the national team. Just in July, Australian-born players Mitch Baker and Luke Vickery attended separate ceremonies in Jakarta to become Indonesian citizens.
Minister for Youth and Sports Eric Tohil was also in attendance, along with 19-year-old Baker, who scored a hat-trick on his ASEAN Cup debut and was named player of the match.
“We have ambitious goals for the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games, the Olympics and even the World Cup,” said Tohir, who is also president of the Indonesian Football Federation. “Through this collaboration, we will continue to improve sport in Indonesia and welcome everyone who can fly the red and white flag with pride.”
Kim Sang-sik, the coach of defending champion Vietnam, also has his sights set on the World Cup.
Kim, who represented South Korea at the 2006 World Cup, said, “Watching the World Cup, we witnessed so many exciting matches and were really impressed.” “The players and I watched the tournament together and dreamed of competing here one day.”
Thailand has the best record in the ASEAN tournament with seven wins. The Thai team is in Group B along with Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar.
“There’s a reason there’s pressure, and the reason is because we have a very good group of players and we have a great fan base,” said Anthony Hudson, who took over as head coach last year. “I believe in the players and I think the fans deserve success because they have been crying out for us to succeed.”
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals. The teams that win the semifinals will play off in a two-game final series on August 22nd and 26th.
Teams from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will then be in the spotlight. 2027 Asia Cupwhich opens on January 7th in Saudi Arabia.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
