The Thailand national football team faced a shocking defeat against the Philippines, losing 1-2 on October 2, 2026. Although this result did not affect their qualification for the FIFA ASEAN Cup final, it significantly impacted their FIFA ranking, causing them to drop from 90th to 93rd in the world.

The loss resulted in a deduction of 6.57 points from Thailand's FIFA ranking, completely erasing the points they had gained from previous victories over Pakistan and Vietnam. As of October 3, Thailand has accumulated a total of 1,252.27 points, which has raised concerns among fans regarding the team's performance under coach Hudson.

Critics have questioned Hudson's strategy, particularly his decision to rotate players in preparation for the final against Indonesia. Despite the explanation that this was a strategic move to ensure key players were rested, many fans expressed dissatisfaction with the team's inconsistent performance.

In contrast, Vietnam's national team gained 1.80 points from their victory over Pakistan on the same day, maintaining their position at 99th in the FIFA rankings. The Philippines, buoyed by their unexpected win, climbed to 135th place, while Indonesia rose to 117th.

As Thailand prepares for the final against Indonesia, scheduled for October 5, 2026, the pressure is on coach Hudson to deliver a strong performance and regain the fans' trust. The upcoming match will be crucial not only for the title but also for improving their FIFA ranking.