Thailand's U-17 Women's Football Team Begins First Training Camp in China Ahead of Asian Championship, Eyes World Youth Tournament Spot
Thailand's under-17 women's football team began training in China on April 28 to prepare for the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Championship, where a top finish could secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Youth Tournament in Morocco.
Thailand's under-17 women's football team conducted their first training session at Suzhou Sports Center Stadium (Field 8) on April 28 after arriving in Suzhou, China. The team is preparing for the 2026 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Championship, which runs from May 1-17. Thailand is placed in Group A with China (hosts), Vietnam, and Myanmar. The tournament format will see the champion, runner-up, and two best third-place finishers from each group advance to the knockout stage, with four nations ultimately representing Asia at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.
Head coach Mim Thidarat Vivasuku led an intensive training session focused on acclimatizing to Suzhou's cooler temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius and rainy conditions, while strengthening both offensive and defensive team dynamics in a 90-minute session. Midfielder Gavinthida Kikhunthad expressed the team's readiness, noting that while the World Cup spot adds pressure, the entire squad and coaching staff have studied their group opponents and are prepared to compete. She called for Thai football fans to support the team.
Thailand's U-17 women will face Vietnam on May 1 at 2:30 PM, Myanmar on May 4 at 2:30 PM, and China on May 7 at 6:30 PM, all at Suzhou Sports Center Stadium (Field 1).
