Philippines aims to surpass 2024 run in ASEAN Hyundai Cup

JAKARTA — The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) is looking to build on its historic 2024 campaign as it sets its sights on a stronger finish in the 2026 ASEAN Championship–Hyundai Cup, scheduled from July 24 to August 26, 2026.

Following the official draw held in Jakarta, PMNFT has been placed in Group B alongside Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos. The national squad will kick off its tournament on July 28 against Myanmar.

PMNFT will once again face Thailand, a familiar and formidable opponent. In a landmark moment during the 2024 edition, the Philippines stunned the seven-time champions with a 2-1 home-leg victory at Rizal Memorial Stadium on December 27, 2024—their first win against Thailand since 1972. Center back Kike Linares delivered the dramatic stoppage-time winner.

Despite losing the second leg 1-3 in Bangkok, resulting in a 3-4 aggregate defeat, the semifinal appearance marked the country’s deepest run in ASEAN Championship history.

“Hyundai Cup 2026 will be a great opportunity to continue showing the progression that Philippine football is making in recent times,” said PMNFT head coach Carles Cuadrat, who attended the draw.

“Although we all know how difficult it will be to achieve one of the first two places, we are also aware that we are a very competitive team that we can be fighting for classification until the last game as happened in the last edition 2024, where after three draws the team managed to beat Indonesia away and move on to the next phase,” Cuadrat added.

In 2024, the Philippines began the group stage with 1-1 draws against Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos, before a decisive 1-0 away victory over Indonesia secured their place in the semifinals. That squad was led by former head coach Albert Capellas, who now works alongside Cuadrat. The team’s core—Bjorn Kristensen, Sandro Reyes, and Jarvey Gayoso—remains intact and is currently competing in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The 2026 Group B draw marks the return of Malaysia as an opponent in the ASEAN tournament for the first time since 2007, when they defeated the Philippines 4-0 in Bangkok. Myanmar and Laos, meanwhile, are regular foes.

The Philippines’ turning point in regional football came in 2010, when the team stunned defending champion Vietnam 2-0 in Hanoi—an upset famously dubbed the “Miracle of Hanoi.” Since then, PMNFT has reached the semifinals five times, with 2024 being its closest to a finals berth.

“This team has already shown in the past that we can achieve these challenges, and in the ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup 2026 we will have together another opportunity to demonstrate our growth as a football nation,” Cuadrat emphasized.

Before entering the ASEAN tournament, the Philippines will play a crucial match against Tajikistan on March 31, 2026, in Dushanbe, the final qualifying fixture for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

2026 tournament format and outlook

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, to be played across August 15–19. The championship final will be held over two legs on August 22 and August 26.

Vietnam, the defending champions, are drawn into Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the winner of the Brunei–Timor-Leste playoff, which takes place over two legs on June 2 and June 9.

As regional football continues to evolve, the PMNFT hopes to capitalize on growing support and international experience to make 2026 their most successful ASEAN campaign yet.