Thailand Sends Student Football Team to World School Champs
Thailand is sending a men's student football team to the 2026 World School Football Championship in Suzhou, China. The squad of 20 players was chosen from over 900 applicants and will compete in Group A against Brazil, Benin and Haiti. After a month-long training camp and six friendlies, the team aims to improve on its 21st-place finish from the 2024 tournament.
On October 14, 2026, at the Royal Sports Stadium in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Department of Physical Education Director-General Mongkol Wimolrat addressed the student football team and staff before their departure for the 2026 World School Football Championship in Suzhou, China, scheduled for October 17–26. He was joined by Dr. Achat Yongtawee, Director of the Sports Science Office, and Paveena Sirisuttikul, Director of the International Affairs Division. Thailand is fielding one men’s team, selected from over 900 applicants nationwide, consisting of 20 players under head coach “Coach Ton” Sukritsut Yothee, assisted by five trainers and three department officials. The Thai side, which finished 21st out of 36 teams in the 2024 edition, has been placed in Group A alongside Brazil, Benin and Haiti. After a month-long training camp and six friendly matches, the squad is reported to be executing the coach’s tactics well and is in peak physical condition, with expectations to improve on its previous ranking. Mongkol Wimolrat emphasized that the tournament offers valuable international experience for student athletes and is essential for raising Thailand’s school sports standards to global levels. The delegation is set to depart on October 17 on flight CX750 from Bangkok to Hong Kong, then connect on flight CX364 to Shanghai, arriving at 20:25 local time.
