Thai Rugby Sets Medal Target for 2026 Asian Games
Thailand's rugby association unveiled an ambitious plan to win medals at the 2026 Asian Games, with the women's team training alongside New Zealand's Black Ferns and the men's squad preparing in Japan to crack Asia's top five.
The Thailand Rugby Football Association opened its new office and introduced Wycombe Abbey International School Bangkok as the national team's headquarters, setting targets for the 2026 Asian Games. The women's team will train with New Zealand's Black Ferns squad and has committed to winning at least one medal—gold, silver, or bronze—while competing against Kazakhstan and Hong Kong. The men's team training in Japan aims to finish in Asia's top five. The association also confirmed participation in the Union Cup, Asia's premier 15-a-side rugby championship, which Thailand is hosting this year. To support university-level rugby, identified as crucial for national team development, the association will provide partial funding to Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The association signed sponsorship agreements with Sapience Hospital, providing medical personnel and ambulance support, and with Ascarde Infinite Company's Helios sports brand, which committed 1.25 million baht annually for uniforms and equipment. An ASEAN Rugby Leaders' Summit was held with representatives from twelve nations, welcoming Vietnam and Cambodia into the federation. Malaysia confirmed that 15-a-side rugby will not be included in the 2027 SEA Games, with only seven-a-side rugby featured.
