Si Sa Ket Confirmed as Host of 52nd King’s Cup as FA Thailand Honours Football’s Finest
The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has confirmed that Si Sa Ket will host the 52nd King’s Cup from 9–17 November 2026, marking the first time the northeastern province will stage Thailand’s prestigious international football tournament. The four-team competition will coincide with the FIFA international window and feature hosts Thailand alongside Oman, Bahrain, and Tajikistan. Played in a knockout format, each nation will be guaranteed two matches, with all fixtures carrying official FIFA ‘A’ international status and contributing to the FIFA World Rankings.
The announcement was made during the FA Thailand Awards 2026 in Bangkok, attended by Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul, National Olympic Committee of Thailand President Pimol Srivikorn, and FAT President Nualphan Lamsam, who presided over the ceremony celebrating the country’s top footballing achievements.
Among the major award winners, Theerathon Bunmathan of Buriram United was named Men’s Player of the Year, while Saowalak Peng-ngam of Taichung Blue Whale received the Women’s Player of the Year honour. Buriram United striker Guilherme Bissoli finished as the Thai League 1 top scorer with 23 goals. Other recipients included Kaka Mendes (Foreign Player of the Year), Sasom Pobprasert (Coach of the Year), Suphanan Bureerat (Most Valuable Player), Yotsakon Burapha (Young Player of the Year), Chang Arena (Best Stadium), Torpong Somsing (Referee of the Year), and former Thailand national team manager Wanasthana Sajakul (formerly Thawatchai Sajakul), who received the President’s Award for his contribution to Thai football.
FAT also unveiled Thailand’s 25-man squad for the ASEAN Championship (Hyundai Cup), scheduled from 24 July to 26 August 2026. Head coach Anthony Hudson acknowledged the difficulties of assembling a squad outside the FIFA international calendar, explaining that the original plan to field an Under-23 side had to be adjusted due to clubs’ reluctance to release players during the pre-season period. Thailand will compete in Group B alongside Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, with preparations having begun on 14 July.