Chanathip Songkrasin says he is ready to return to the national team as Thailand look to field their strongest possible squad for a highly anticipated rematch with Vietnam at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

“I’m ready to come back and play for Thailand at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. However, whether I’m called up to the national team depends on coach Anthony Hudson’s decision,” Chanathip Songkrasin said.

Chanathip’s declaration has attracted considerable attention from the Thai media, particularly after Thailand lost to Vietnam in two consecutive ASEAN Cup finals.

Chanathip was part of the Thailand teams that won three AFF Cup titles, in 2014, 2016 and 2020. In his most recent appearance at the 2020 AFF Cup, the predecessor of the ASEAN Cup, the player nicknamed the “Thai Messi” helped Thailand defeat Vietnam in the semifinals before going on to win Southeast Asia’s premier football tournament.

Speaking about his plans for an international comeback, Chanathip said: “It depends on coach Hudson’s plans and which players he chooses for the Thailand national team. Personally, I have to prove that I deserve a place.

“I’m trying to perform well for my club in the domestic league and convince coach Anthony Hudson that I deserve to play at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.”

Thailand are showing strong determination to avenge their ASEAN Cup final defeats to Vietnam.

Hudson has said the team’s upcoming training camp will take place during a FIFA international window, allowing him to call up his strongest available squad. Thailand hope that will give them the firepower needed to overcome Vietnam when the two sides meet at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

Under the tournament schedule, Vietnam will open their campaign against the Philippines at 7:30 p.m. on September 26.

Three days later, coach Kim Sang Sik’s side will face Thailand in one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage, also at 7:30 p.m. Vietnam, the reigning ASEAN Cup champions, will then complete their group campaign against Pakistan at 7:30 p.m. on October 2.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup will run from September 25 to October 5 and is divided into two divisions.

Division 1 features the eight strongest teams, with Vietnam drawn in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan. Group A consists of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh, which replaced India following its withdrawal.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 will use a different format from the ASEAN Cup familiar to Southeast Asian football fans.

There will be no semifinals. The winner of each group will advance directly to the final to compete for the championship.

The Division 1 champion is expected to receive $1 million, while the Division 2 winner will earn $300,000. Each participating team is also guaranteed $125,000.

Dai Nam