Thailand aims to win the AFF Cup title from Vietnam.

Thai national team head coach Anthony Hudson hopes to lead Thailand to reclaim the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 title from the reigning champion Vietnam, adding to the "War Elephants" record collection of 7 regional championships.

The ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 will take place from July 24 to August 26. No team has won this title more times than Thailand since the ASEAN Championship began in 1996.

Instead of avoiding the position as one of the top contenders, the English coach eagerly embraces the challenge ahead.

"There is pressure because we have a very good group of players, along with an excellent fan base.

I believe in the players and I think the fans deserve success because they have longed for it for so long. Of course, no one has a divine right, but that is our job; we represent Thailand's fans and we must ensure we deliver results."

Thailand's record in the AFF Cup is unmatched: victory in the first tournament in Singapore was followed by championships in 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2022.

In contrast, with 4 championships, Singapore ranks second in the tournament's 30-year history, and Hudson is determined to extend Thailand's record.

Thailand will enter the tournament with a balanced squad blending youth and experience, likely led by three-time Best Player award winner Chanathip Songkrasin along with Buriram United FC duo Supachai Chaided and Suphanat Mueanta.

With winger Supachok Sarachat, who plays in Japan, as another option, plus numerous rising talents from Thai League 1, Hudson will have a rich pool of talent at his disposal.

"I think our strength is that Thai players are very united and they perform well when together. I believe fostering this unity among them will be one of our greatest strengths.

I believe in playing a certain style that suits Thai players. They are very dynamic, agile, like to move along the flanks, and are willing to run behind the opponent's defense. They don't want to feel inferior by sitting deep in defense and counterattacking.

All of this is psychological. My job is to find a style that fits the team, and I believe the team can achieve it."

The Thai national team will begin their ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 campaign in Group B with a match against Laos on July 25, then host Malaysia on August 1. Next is an away match against the Philippines on August 4. Hudson's team will conclude the group stage by hosting Myanmar on August 8.

The ASEAN Hyundai Cup is a key target for Thailand in a packed schedule, but in the short term, Hudson's focus is on securing qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 finals, which will conclude on March 31 with a match against Turkmenistan.

Thailand needs to defeat this Central Asian team at home in Bangkok to advance to the tournament in Saudi Arabia next January. Coach Hudson acknowledges that the result of that match will greatly impact his plans for the remainder of 2026.

"That is an extremely important match. They are a very difficult team to play against, truly challenging. Their coach has done very well.

But we are playing at home. We just need to ensure good preparation, the right mindset, and good organization. I think we must enter the match expecting to win, while also giving great respect to the opponent because this will not be an easy game.

That match will shape everything. If we win, suddenly you have a group of players possibly thinking: this might be my last chance to play in the Asian Cup because there are many rising young players, there is much competition.

It will affect how we view the ASEAN Hyundai Cup and subsequent FIFA Days. This will be a truly crucial factor."