In a recent meeting with officials from the Football Association of Thailand, coach Anthony Hudson revealed his aspirations for the national team. He wishes that the Thailand team could gather its players for the AFF Cup as seamlessly as Vietnam does. The upcoming AFF Cup 2026, scheduled from July 24 to August 26, falls outside FIFA Days, complicating the process for Hudson to assemble his best players.

Due to the timing of the tournament, many of Thailand's top players are obligated to play for their clubs, making it difficult for Hudson to call them up for national duty. He stated, "We have to acknowledge that the timing of the AFF Cup is quite complex for us, as the tournament does not coincide with FIFA Days. I have to work hard to gather the best and most available players. We will collaborate with each club to maximize their support for us." The Thailand team is set to convene on July 14 in preparation for the tournament.

Hudson also acknowledged the advantages that the Vietnam national team has over Thailand. He noted that some footballing nations and teams adjust their domestic schedules to better suit their national teams. While he did not explicitly name any country, it was clear that he was referring to Vietnam, where the V-League has paused to allow the national team to prepare effectively for the AFF Cup.

In the previous AFF Cup, Vietnam triumphed over Thailand with an aggregate score of 5-3 in the finals. With their current squad facing potential challenges, Thailand will find it difficult to reclaim the Southeast Asian championship from Vietnam.