Thailand’s confirm to move venue for the host of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Group F after Pathum Thani Stadium, Pathum Thani withdrew from hosting duties, citing unpreparedness to stage the matches.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had earlier inspected and confirmed True BG Stadium as the main venue for Group F matches, with Malaysia, Lebanon, and Mongolia already making logistical arrangements including hotel bookings and training grounds nearby.
However, with the sudden withdrawal, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is now racing against time to resolve the issue and inform AFC of an alternative venue. A change of stadium could require fresh inspections by AFC officials and would force competing nations to readjust travel and accommodation plans, potentially affecting Thailand’s reputation as a reliable tournament host.
“The association is urgently reviewing available options and will submit the proposed replacement venue to AFC for approval,” an FA Thailand spokesperson said. “If the new stadium is outside Pathum Thani, it could impact team logistics, including hotels and training sites, due to the limited timeframe.”
The qualifiers are scheduled for 3–9 September 2025, with Group F matches crucial in determining qualification for the final tournament in Saudi Arabia from 7–25 January 2026. Only the 11 group winners and the best four runners-up will advance.
Credit Photo : BGPU
