The Philippine Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT) will be participating in the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Championship–Hyundai Cup as part of Group B. Joining the Philippines in this group are Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
On a Collision Course with Powerhouse Thailand
Back in 2024, the PMNFT reached the semifinals of the tournament, duplicating a feat the Philippines last accomplished in 2018.
In the semis, the Philippines actually won the first leg, 2–1. The win marked the country’s first ASEAN Championship semifinal victory and its first triumph over Thailand since 1972. But then came the second leg, where the Thais answered back with a vengeance and ended the country’s campaign with a 3–1 win.
Now, in 2026, the two teams will once again meet, but this time, it will be during the elimination round of the 2026 ASEAN Championship–Hyundai Cup.
From July to August 2026, Sandro Reyes, Bjorn Kristensen, and the rest of the PMNFT will play against:
- Myanmar on July 28
- Laos on August 1
- Thailand on August 4
- Malaysia on August 8
“Hyundai Cup 2026 will be a great opportunity to continue showing the progression that Philippine football is making in recent times,” said coach Carles Cuadrat.
Cuadrat also acknowledged the challenge of finishing in the top two in Group B but stressed that the team can remain competitive until the final matchday, as they did in 2025.
That campaign was defined by resilience, with the PMNFT drawing Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos before a crucial 1–0 away win over Indonesia sealed a semifinal berth.
Now, under Cuadrat, the PMNFT will be parading a core led by Kristensen, Reyes, and Jarvey Gayoso. All three were also part of the team that competed in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
“This team has already shown in the past that we can achieve these challenges,” Cuadrat added.
Before the ASEAN tournament, the Philippines will face Tajikistan on March 31 in an Asian Cup qualifier in Dushanbe.
Renewed Confidence Heading into 2026 ASEAN Championship–Hyundai Cup
Despite a young core led by Sandro and Bjorn, the PMNFT has shown maturity beyond their years, and recent history indicates the team is forging a renewed identity and a revival of talent and chemistry.
In fact, the PMNFT went undefeated at the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, recording four wins and one draw. The team then made it to the semifinals in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand but narrowly missed the podium.
Sandro, Bjorn, and company are entering 2026 full of confidence, and they will surely get an acid test in the upcoming 2026 ASEAN Championship–Hyundai Cup.
