In the same bracket as football powerhouse Thailand, the Philippines will look to navigate a tricky Group B in the 2026 ASEAN Championship that also features Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos.
The battle lines have been drawn.
The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) is set to face a familiar—and formidable—group of foes in Group B of the 2026 ASEAN Championship, also known as the Hyundai Cup.
Drawn alongside seven-time champions Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos, the Filipinos will open their campaign against Burmese counterparts on July 28.
They will then face Laotians three days later, the Thais on August 4, and close the preliminaries against the Malaysians on August 8.
Meanwhile, defending champions Vietnam join Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and the winner of the Brunei Darussalam–Timor-Leste playoff in Group A.
The top two from each group move on to home-and-away semifinals, with the final set for August 22 and 26.
Just like in 2024?
The PMNFT looks to build on its historic 2024 campaign when it stunned Thailand 2-1 at home,—the Filipinos' first-ever win over the Thais in the tournament since 1972.
[RELATED: Philippine team scores historic win against Thailand courtesy of Kike Linares' last-minute header]
Now under coach Carles Cuadrat, the team is eager to replicate that magic.
“We know it will be tough to finish in the top two, but this team is competitive and will fight until the last game, just like in 2024,” Cuadrat said.
[RELATED: When it rains, it pours: PMNFT win over Thailand highlights year of ending droughts for Philippine sports]
With leaders Bjorn Kristensen, Sandro Reyes, and Jarvey Gayoso, the Nationals also have a tune-up against Tajikistan on March 31 ahead of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, aiming to carry their momentum into the Hyundai Cup.
[RELATED: AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: PMNT beats Maldives but still face must-win situation in March]
“Hyundai Cup 2026 will be a great opportunity to continue showing the progression that Philippine football is making in recent times,” Cuadrat added.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.