The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has officially unveiled its 23-man squad to represent the national team in the upcoming FIFA Matchday in November 2025. This crucial period will see the War Elephants continue their campaign in Group D of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Thailand is set to travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, facing the hosts at the Colombo Racecourse Stadium on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Prior to this pivotal qualifier, the team will engage in a friendly match against Singapore on Thursday, November 13, 2025, as part of their preparations.
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The recently announced 23-player roster, selected by interim coach Anthony Hudson, marks the return of four veteran stars who have been instrumental figures for the national team over recent years. These prominent players include Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda, Sarach Yooyen, and Theerathon Bunmathan. Fans of Southeast Asian football will undoubtedly be familiar with these household names, who are widely regarded as key representatives of Thailand’s ‘golden generation’ that dominated the region throughout the 2010s.
However, it is evident that these four stalwarts are now entering the twilight of their illustrious careers. Chanathip, the youngest among them, is 32, followed by Sarach (33), Theerathon (35), and Teerasil (37). Beyond their advancing age, concerns have also been raised regarding a noticeable dip in performance for two of these experienced players. Sarach, despite not being overly old, has reportedly lost his starting position at BG Pathum United, featuring in only 23 matches last season and a mere 7 this season, mostly coming off the bench.
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Similarly, Teerasil Dangda, long celebrated as arguably Thailand’s greatest ever striker with an impressive 64 national team goals, has also seen his prolific scoring rate decline. Since the summer of 2024, he has managed just 9 goals in a year and a half. The re-inclusion of these two veterans, despite their recent form, underscores a harsh reality for Thai football: the younger generation has yet to fully emerge and consistently demonstrate the quality needed to inherit the mantle from their seasoned predecessors. This situation is particularly concerning given that the new crop of players is still struggling to overcome lower-ranked opponents like Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka.
This sentiment is echoed by former Thailand national team player, Piyapong Pue-on. As quoted by Tuoi Tre via SuperBall.id, Piyapong asserted, “Thailand’s main goal right now is not to develop young players, but to win.” This strategic focus reflects the immediate pressure on the team. Thailand currently holds the second position in Group D with 9 points, trailing Turkmenistan only on goal difference. To secure the top spot and punch their ticket to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, the War Elephants must emerge victorious in their two remaining qualification matches.
Summary
The Football Association of Thailand has announced its 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA Matchday in November 2025. The War Elephants will play a friendly against Singapore before facing Sri Lanka in a 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Interim coach Anthony Hudson’s selection notably includes the return of four veteran stars: Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerasil Dangda, Sarach Yooyen, and Theerathon Bunmathan.
These veteran players, despite their advancing age and recent performance dips, were recalled due to the younger generation’s struggle to consistently perform. This reflects a strategic focus on immediate wins rather than youth development, as highlighted by former player Piyapong Pue-on. Thailand currently sits second in Group D and must win their remaining two qualifiers to secure a spot in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
