Thailand faces scheduling challenges ahead of SEA Games 33

By Trung Thu May 12, 2025 | 02:59 pm PT

Achitpol Keereerom (R) celebrates the opening goal in the match between Thailand and Vietnam, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the group stage of the SEA Games 32 at Visakha Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 11, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Thailand is facing scheduling difficulties ahead of hosting the 33rd SEA Games, as several domestic clubs have expressed reluctance to suspend the league for a month to accommodate the U22 team in the tournament.

A meeting between representatives from Thai League clubs and the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) was held to discuss the possibility of postponing league fixtures in December, allowing the U22 team to prepare for the men's football event. FAT hopes this would maximize the team's chances of winning gold on home ground.

However, according to Thairath, many clubs did not agree with the proposal, citing that the SEA Games is not an event of FIFA, which means clubs are not obligated to release players. Another suggestion was for each club to release three players based on a wish list provided by national team head coach Takayuki Nishigaya, with FAT negotiating individually with clubs.

FAT continues to seek common ground and aims to field the strongest possible squad after Thailand missed out on gold in the last three SEA Games, losing to Vietnam in 2019 and 2021, and Indonesia in 2023.

The debate over adjusting domestic schedules for the SEA Games is not unique to Thailand. Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to pause their domestic leagues for at least one month, and potentially two, depending on qualification for the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. Malaysia, in contrast, are managing player releases while continuing the domestic league schedule.

SEA Games 33 will take place from Dec. 9 to 20 across Bangkok, Songkhla and Chonburi. The men's football event is set to begin before the opening ceremony. Thailand, as host, has set age limit at U22 (players born on or after Jan. 1, 2003) and is awaiting approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to change the format to three groups for the first time, aiming to reduce the number of games and minimize injury risks for the players.

Thailand remains the most successful nation in SEA Games men's football, with 16 gold medals. Malaysia follows with six, Myanmar with five, and both Vietnam and Indonesia with three.

SEA Games also serves as a key preparation stage for Southeast Asian teams ahead of the U23 Asian Cup, typically held between January and May of even-numbered years.