Coach Hudson... Headache!!
If there were no problems, it surely wouldn’t be the Thailand national team!!
Because in this era, the Football Association of Thailand runs its operations relying heavily on cooperation from club teams.
This often means that calling players to "serve the nation" rarely goes as planned.
Even during FIFA days, when rules require all teams to release players for the national team without conditions.
This is the case again for calling players to compete in the 52nd King's Cup football tournament in Sisaket Province.
Scheduled during the FIFA window from 9-17 November 2026, the situation is similar.
Initially, Coach Anthony Hudson had firmly planned to use this tournament to seriously test his core players.
Ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round in Saudi Arabia early next year.
However, it turns out Coach Hudson will again have a headache over his well-laid plans.
Despite sending official requests to clubs to release players for full preparation for the King's Cup,
the replies from clubs were "less than half" positive.
And there is a likelihood of even more refusals!
This is because the King's Cup final is on 17 November,
which overlaps with the ASEAN club tournament, the "Shopee Cup," organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF).
The Shopee Cup matches are scheduled for 18-19 November.
In reality, scheduling matches so close to a FIFA window is rare internationally.
Because it severely impacts the national team!
But the AFF organizers surprisingly scheduled matches without consideration for others.
This directly affects three major Thai clubs.
These clubs must travel abroad for the second leg of the Shopee Cup matches on 18 and 19 November.
Just 1-2 days after the King's Cup final in Sisaket.
On 18 November, Ratchaburi FC must visit Tampines Rovers in Singapore.
Similarly, Buriram United travels to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Then on 19 November, Port FC must go to Svay Rieng in Cambodia.
This makes it very difficult for clubs to release their key players to serve the national team.
This situation has sparked divided opinions among fans.
One side believes clubs should release players according to the FIFA window rules unconditionally.
While the other side argues clubs have the right to decide, since they bear players' salaries and expenses.
If releasing players harms club performance, it could cause serious damage.
This event has become a "no-win" situation for all involved parties.
Coach Hudson himself is the most sympathetic figure, facing obstacles calling the national team almost every time.
Rarely does he get a fully "full option" squad to arm the senior War Elephants team.
The King's Cup is no different; attention will focus on Monday's player roster announcement.
What the final lineup will look like remains to be seen.
Whether Thailand will have a real chance to reclaim the King's Cup trophy.
We will have to wait and see if the major clubs will release their players.
- Bee Bangpakong -
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