Thailand invited to participate in China's Four Nations Tournament, preparing for AFF Cup 2026

The Chinese Football Association invited the Thai national team to join a friendly tournament in June, alongside Iran and North Korea.

The Thai national team is likely to have another notable test during the FIFA Days in June, as the Chinese Football Association (CFA) plans to organize a friendly tournament gathering four national teams.

According to the released information, besides the host team China, the three invited guest teams include Thailand, Iran, and North Korea. This tournament is considered to have high professional quality, as the participating teams are all aiming for major goals in the late 2026 and early 2027 period.

Currently, the CFA has not finalized the official schedule, but the tournament is expected to take place during the FIFA Days period in June. This timing is seen as very suitable for national teams to assemble their squads, refine their operational systems, and test personnel before entering important campaigns.

Among the participating teams, the Iranian national team stands out as the most prominent, having secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup. For the West Asian representative, the matches in China are likely to serve as the final preparatory step before stepping onto the planet's biggest stage.

On the side of the Thai national team, this friendly tournament holds significant importance in the preparation process for the upcoming dense schedule, including the Asean Cup 2026 in July. Additionally, the tournament in China is also viewed as a necessary warm-up for the Asian Cup 2027, where Thailand aims to make an impact on the continental stage.