Since the conclusion of the most recent FIFA Futsal World Cup tournament in 2024, held two years ago in Uzbekistan,
one serious policy driven by “Big Pom” Adisak Benjasiriwan, Vice President of the Football Association of Thailand overseeing futsal and beach soccer,
has been to develop a new generation of youth futsal players for the U16 and U19 national teams.
The Thai U16 futsal team, led by head coach “Coach Tum” Phat Srivijit, debuted by winning the bronze medal at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.
They then finished as runners-up in the 2025 ASEAN Futsal Championship held in Thailand at the end of last year.
Meanwhile, the U19 War Elephants futsal team under coach Boonlert Charoenwong proudly claimed the ASEAN championship title.
This year, “Big Pom” has planned to launch the first-ever national youth futsal league,
centered on the concept “From Talent to the U16 National Team.”
And THE NEXT LEVEL: molding raw talent into stars, progressing to the U19 national team.
The official tournament is named the “WINGZ FUTSAL U15-U18 LEAGUE 2026.”
This competition marks the first time in Thai futsal history
that a national youth futsal league is systematically organized under the supervision of the Football Association of Thailand.
It covers two age categories: under 15 and under 18.
The main goal is to elevate the development of Thai youth futsal players,
providing continuous competition opportunities and laying a foundation for future national team athletes.
Once again, Star Polo (Thailand) Co., Ltd., manufacturer and distributor of WINGZ sports products, has come on board as the title sponsor.
The WINGZ FUTSAL U15-U18 LEAGUE 2026
is designed as a key platform to discover and develop potential athletes for the Thai men's national futsal teams at U16 and U19 levels.
This prepares them for future international competitions,
especially the 2027 ASEAN Youth Futsal Championship, which Thailand will host.
In its inaugural year, 24 top schools from across the country have qualified for the league phase, split evenly with 12 teams in the U15 and 12 teams in the U18 categories.
Each team will receive 5,000 baht in support to promote their operations and team development throughout the season.
Regarding prize money, the champion in each category will receive 25,000 baht,
the runner-up 15,000 baht, third place 10,000 baht, and fourth place 5,000 baht.
Additionally, there are awards for the best cheering squads: champions receive 5,000 baht, runners-up 4,000 baht, third place 3,000 baht, and fourth place 2,000 baht.
The total prize value for cheering squads amounts to 28,000 baht.
The competition employs a single-leg league format with rotating hosts, allowing each school to host matches,
creating a lively cheering atmosphere and strengthening bonds among schools, communities, and futsal fans in each area.
“Big Pom” Adisak Benjasiriwan, honorary chairman of the WINGZ FUTSAL YOUTH (U15-U18) LEAGUE 2026, revealed,
this youth futsal league is a historic first that the Football Association of Thailand is managing directly.
We believe this league will be organized systematically and with high quality.
The continuous and intensive league system offers young players from all participating institutions a full opportunity to showcase their talents.
This will sustainably enhance the development of both the athletes and their home teams.
The association will use this platform to select players for ASEAN-level futsal competitions for both U16 and U19 categories.
Players who perform well here will showcase their skills to the eyes of both youth and senior national team coaches.
This is a crucial opportunity for all young players to have a chance to join Thailand's national team in the future.
The opening matches will take place at the Chonburi Municipality Gymnasium, with Rajavinit Mathayom School hosting the first week.
The WINGZ FUTSAL U15 LEAGUE 2026 will start on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
The WINGZ FUTSAL U18 LEAGUE 2026 will follow on Friday, 3 July 2026.
The establishment of the WINGZ FUTSAL U15-U18 LEAGUE 2026 is not just about competing for championships,
but also about laying a vital foundation for the long-term future of Thai futsal.
It serves as a bridge from the school level to the national team,
and marks a significant step in building the future of Thai futsal.
Under the concept “From School Grounds to the Thai National Team,”
from the dreams of youth to the future of Thai futsal,
this truly is the first step ladder to the Thai national team for young players!
- Bee Bangpakong -