Thailand are bringing back Chanathip Songkrasin and other leading stars for another showdown with Vietnam, who are waiting to see whether key midfielder Hoang Duc can recover in time.
Thailand coach Anthony Hudson has finalized a 23-man squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, selecting from an initial pool of 55 players chosen by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT).
Compared with the recent ASEAN Cup, Thailand will field a significantly stronger squad, with several key players and established stars returning.
The most notable is Chanathip Songkrasin, regarded as one of Thailand’s finest footballers of the past decade. The former J.League player has never lost to Vietnam while representing Thailand, recording four wins and four draws in eight meetings.
Chanathip Songkrasin returns to the Thailand national team.
Chanathip is joined in midfield by the likes of Peeradol Chamrasamee and Supachok Sarachat. Supachok and promising youngster Teerapat Pruetong both play for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in Japan.
Sarach Yooyen, who captained Thailand at the recent ASEAN Cup, and Seksan Ratree are also included for the FIFA-organized tournament, which will take place in Indonesia from Sept. 24 to Oct. 5.
Thailand’s defense features several experienced players, including Kritsada Kaman, Jonathan Khemdee, Manuel Tom Bihr and Suphanan Bureerat, alongside Norway-born Nicholas Mickelson, who currently plays in Germany for SV Elversberg.
In attack, Thailand have called up Supachai Jaided, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Jude Soonsup-Bell. Soonsup-Bell developed at the Chelsea and Tottenham academies and currently plays for Port FC.
Thailand will have to continue waiting for defender Eric Kahl, who still hopes to earn a call-up from Sweden.
Only six players from Thailand’s ASEAN Cup 2026 squad remain: Chaiyaphon Otton, Manuel Tom Bihr, Kakana Khamyok, Sarach Yooyen, Seksan Ratree and Teerasak Poeiphimai.
The overhaul underlines Thailand’s determination to turn the tables on Vietnam after losing to their Southeast Asian rivals in consecutive ASEAN Cup finals in 2024 and 2026.
The two teams most recently met in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final in August. Vietnam won the first leg 2-0 in Bangkok before a 2-2 draw at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi secured a 4-2 aggregate victory and the title.
While Thailand welcome back some of their biggest names, Vietnam are dealing with a series of injury problems ahead of the rematch.
Duy Manh recently underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months. Coach Kim Sang Sik will also be unable to recall midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan after he was injured in the The Cong Viettel-CAHN match in the second round of the 2026/27 V.League season.
Winger Van Vi will miss the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after tearing a calf muscle.
The biggest concern, however, is Hoang Duc, one of Vietnam’s most influential midfielders. He has suffered a groin muscle tear and there is no confirmed date for his return. The Vietnam Football Federation is working with Ninh Binh FC to coordinate his rehabilitation.
Hoang Duc remains a crucial figure for Vietnam.
Kim Sang Sik will assess Hoang Duc’s recovery and await an evaluation from the medical team before deciding whether to include him in Vietnam’s upcoming training camp.
If Hoang Duc is unable to join the national team, or returns without enough time to regain his form, his absence would be a major blow for Vietnam. If he makes a full recovery, however, his midfield battle with Chanathip promises to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the tournament.
At the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Thailand and Vietnam are in Group B alongside Pakistan and the Philippines.
Thailand open against Pakistan on Sept. 26 before facing Vietnam at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. They complete the group stage against the Philippines on Oct. 2.
The tournament format adds further significance to the Vietnam-Thailand clash. Only the group winner advances to the final, while the runner-up qualifies for the third-place playoff.
The Sept. 29 meeting could therefore prove decisive in determining who finishes top of Group B.
Vietnamnet.vn
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