The Cambodian national football team is showing remarkable determination as they prepare for the AFF Cup 2026. Under the guidance of coach Koji Gyotoku, the team will hold a training camp in Japan from July 14 to July 22, aiming to improve their technical skills ahead of the crucial tournament later this year.

Before heading to Japan, the team will gather in Phnom Penh. During their training, they plan to play two friendly matches against suitable opponents to assess player performance and refine their tactical strategies. This preparation phase is critical for the coaching staff to accurately evaluate the team's capabilities before the official matches commence.

In recent years, Cambodian football has seen significant positive changes, with the inclusion of naturalized players and a more developed younger generation enhancing the team's overall quality. Coach Gyotoku has expressed confidence in the potential of his current squad, believing they can compete effectively against stronger regional rivals. This belief was reinforced by their recent 2-0 victory over Hong Kong (China) in a friendly match, marking their first win against this opponent after 11 encounters.

The Cambodian team is grouped with defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Timor Leste in Group A of the AFF Cup 2026. Their match schedule includes facing Singapore, Indonesia, and Timor Leste before concluding the group stage against Vietnam on August 7, a match expected to be pivotal for Cambodia's hopes of advancing to the semifinals.

Notably, Cambodia is the second Southeast Asian team to announce a foreign training camp ahead of the AFF Cup 2026, following Vietnam's training in South Korea in early July. This reflects Cambodia's strong commitment to achieving a historic goal of advancing past the group stage for the first time. With thorough preparations and an increasingly skilled squad, Cambodia is poised to be a formidable opponent in this year's tournament.