The victory of Thailand's senior football team over Turkmenistan by 2-1
secured their spot in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup recently.
This has significantly lifted the mood around Thai football!
It is hoped that from now on, the positive momentum of past successes, which had been missing,
will continue to drive the Football Association under President Nualphan Lamsam.
Especially the tangible achievements of the Thai national futsal players,
whose women's team has already restored faith by winning the ASEAN championship for the first time in history at Korat.
Now, it's the turn of the men's futsal team, the War Elephants, ranked 11th in the world,
who are entering the hunt for the championship at the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship.
Thailand is also hosting this tournament from 6-12 April at the Nonthaburi Provincial Gymnasium.
This is the second tournament under the leadership of "Coach Bear" Rakpol Sainetngam, who debuted as head coach at the Asian Championship.
The clear goal for Thailand's futsal team in this competition is nothing less than reclaiming the ASEAN championship.
In the last tournament held in Korat, Thailand finished third, missing the championship.
The title went to the "Garuda" team of Indonesia, who have been continuously improving.
They even snatched the gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand late last year, much to our disappointment!
They then advanced to become runners-up in the most recent Asian Championship, as we witnessed clearly.
"Big Pom" Adisak Benjasiriwan, head of Thai futsal, recently told me on the program 'Sports People Ask, Field Doctor Answers' last week that
this ASEAN futsal championship has a different context from previous editions because Thailand, as host and 16-time champion,
will shift from being "defending champions" to "challengers."
Our goal is clear: we must win back the ASEAN title and cannot afford to fail again.
Although the standard of futsal teams in ASEAN countries has risen to continental levels for many,
as hosts, we aim to restore the dignity of the Thai national futsal team,
and regain the trust of our home fans.
This shared determination will ultimately lead us to our goal.
The squad mainly consists of core players from the SEA Games and Asian Championship teams, with several promising young players added.
Importantly, this tournament coincides with the FIFA international window,
allowing superstar "Jao Met" Muhammad Usman Musa to return from Spain to strengthen the team.
The War Elephants' group stage fixtures in the 2026 ASEAN Futsal Championship are as follows:
Monday, 6 April 2026
Thailand vs Timor-Leste at 20:00, Nonthaburi Provincial Gymnasium.
Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Myanmar vs Thailand at 20:00, Nonthaburi Provincial Gymnasium.
Wednesday, 8 April 2026
Thailand vs Vietnam at 20:00, Nonthaburi Provincial Gymnasium.
Fans can attend the tournament free of charge throughout.
Those unable to travel or concerned about fuel costs can watch the live broadcast on TrueVisions Now.
The Thai women's futsal team has already succeeded in lifting the championship trophy.
If our men's futsal team achieves their goal as planned,
the ASEAN futsal throne will be fully reclaimed by Thailand.
This will be a perfect restoration of the crown.
It will be a happy way to celebrate this Songkran festival,
with a big celebration for all our fellow countrymen!
- Bee Bangpakong -