FOOTBALL: The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) president Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang has refused to set any lofty targets for the men’s national team in the Asian zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, saying it would put the players under unnecessary pressure.
Thailand captain Chanathip Songkrasin in action during a recent game. Photo: Bangkok Post
Somyot said the FAT will support the team in every way it can, “but what happens on the pitch will depend on the coach.
“I don’t think it will serve any good if we set high goals for the team and put the players under unwanted pressure.
“You can say that we are in a tough group, but there are no easy groups there – every team in the tournament will be striving to qualify.”
His comments came as former Thailand star striker Piyapong Pue-on said in a YouTube interview that Somyot’s future as the national football chief would depend on the War Elephants’ performance in the World Cup qualifying tournament, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand were recently drawn in a tough Group C for the second round of the Asian zone qualifiers along with South Korea and China. The fourth team in the group will be the winners of a play-off between Singapore and Guam.
The top two teams from each of the nine groups will make it to the third and final stage of the qualifiers. Asia has been given a quota of 8.5 teams in the 2026 World Cup.
“If we can qualify for the next phase of the qualifying tournament it would restore fans’ faith in the FAT leadership,” said Piyapong.
“Our main objective should be to carry the Thai team to the 18-team final stage.
“Everything must be planned properly and the team must be given 100 percent support. No excuses should be accepted.
“Much would depend on the results of the first two games. We have to play China whose players are very tall.
“We have warm-up games with Georgia and Estonia which is good, but I would have preferred friendlies with Japan or North Korea.”
Thailand are led by crafty playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin who plays his domestic football with Thai League 1 club BG Pathum United.
