The northeastern province of Si Sa Ket has been selected to host the upcoming King’s Cup football tournament, a significant international event scheduled from November 9-17. The announcement was made during the FA Thailand Awards ceremony held at a hotel in Bangkok, bringing together prominent figures from the sports and government sectors to celebrate achievements in Thai football.
King’s Cup Details and Participants
The King’s Cup, a FIFA ‘A’ international friendly tournament, will feature four national teams: host nation Thailand, alongside Oman, Bahrain, and Tajikistan. The competition will run concurrently with the FIFA international window, ensuring that participating teams can field their strongest available squads. The tournament will adopt a knockout format, with each participating nation guaranteed to play a minimum of two matches. Crucially, all match results will be officially recorded and contribute to the respective teams’ FIFA world rankings.
Thailand, currently ranked 94th in the world, will face stiff competition from Oman (79th), Bahrain (92nd), and Tajikistan (101st). The selection of Si Sa Ket as the host venue highlights the growing football infrastructure and interest in regions beyond the capital.
FA Thailand Awards Recognize Top Talent
The event also served as a platform to honor outstanding individuals and teams in Thai football at the FA Thailand Awards. The ceremony underscored the depth of talent and the significant strides made within the sport domestically.
Key Award Winners Included:
- Men’s Player of the Year: Theerathon Bunmathan (Buriram United and Thailand national team stalwart)
- Women’s Player of the Year: Saowalak Peng‐ngam (Taichung Blue Whale, Taiwan)
- Thai League 1 Top Scorer: Guilherme Bissoli (Buriram United) with 23 goals
- Foreign Player of the Year: Kaka Mendes (Port FC)
- Coach of the Year: Sasom Pobprasert (PT Prachuap FC)
- Most Valuable Player: Suphanan Bureerat (Port FC defender)
- Young Player of the Year: Yotsakon Burapha (Chonburi FC)
- Best Stadium: Chang Arena (Buriram United’s home ground)
- Referee of the Year: Torpong Somsing
- President’s Award: Thawatchai Sajakul (formerly Wanasthana Sajakul), former national team manager
ASEAN Championship Squad Announced
In a separate announcement made the following day, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) unveiled a 25-man squad for the upcoming ASEAN Championship, also known as the Hyundai Cup. This tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 26.
Thailand’s national team coach, Anthony Hudson, commented on the complexities of squad selection, particularly when the tournament falls outside the official FIFA international calendar. “This is a tricky window,” Hudson stated, acknowledging that many clubs are in their pre-season phase and may be hesitant to release younger players. “We had planned to go with an U23 squad, but circumstances forced us to select a mix of senior and younger talents.”
The Thai squad will commence their training on July 14. They have been drawn into Group B for the ASEAN Championship, where they will compete against Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. The team’s preparation and selection reflect the ongoing efforts to build a competitive squad capable of performing well in regional and international competitions.
Conclusion
The selection of Si Sa Ket as the host for the King’s Cup, coupled with the recognition of top performers at the FA Thailand Awards and the announcement of the ASEAN Championship squad, signals a dynamic period for Thai football. The King’s Cup, in particular, offers a valuable opportunity for the national team to test their mettle against international opposition and improve their world ranking, while also providing a significant platform for football development in the host province.
