Thailand is extremely 'in demand' ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup, what about Vietnam?

The Thai national team is becoming one of the most sought-after names in Southeast Asia ahead of the FIFA Days in June 2026, as they have continuously received invitations to participate in high-quality international matches and friendly tournaments.

According to information from Asean Football, the Tajikistan Football Federation has sent an official invitation to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) for the two teams to play a friendly match during the FIFA Days in June. This is considered a notable test for the "War Elephants," especially since Tajikistan is an opponent with a physically strong, fast-paced style of play and is not easily subdued.

Previously, this source also revealed that the Chinese Football Association invited Thailand to participate in a four-team friendly tournament taking place precisely during the FIFA Days in June. The tournament is rated as having high professional quality, as besides the host China, formidable opponents such as Iran and North Korea are expected to participate.

The continuous receipt of invitations shows the growing appeal and increasingly clear standing of Thai football on the Asian map. However, at this point, FAT has not yet made a final decision on which option they will choose for their friendly match schedule in June. It is possible that Thailand will carefully weigh factors such as professionalism, travel intensity, and squad considerations before finalizing their schedule.

For the Thai national team, the matches during this FIFA Days period are very important in preparing for the dense schedule ahead. Most immediately, the "War Elephants" will aim to conquer the ASEAN Cup 2026 taking place in July, a tournament where they are always considered one of the top contenders for the championship.

Further ahead, if they participate in the friendly tournament in China, Thailand will also have additional opportunities to test themselves against strong opponents to refine their framework for the 2027 Asian Cup. This is seen as a necessary preparatory step for the Golden Temple team to nurture ambitions of making an impact at the continental stage in the coming period.

Regarding the Vietnamese national team, it is highly likely they will not play during the FIFA Days in June, instead prioritizing the completion of the domestic V-League 2025/26 season.