Buriram United have set their sights beyond domestic success, with the Thai champions targeting enough AFC Champions League Elite points to secure a pathway to the next FIFA Club World Cup.
Following the ACL Elite 2026/27 draw, Buriram United executive vice president and head of football Chonchanok Chidchob revealed that earning enough points under the current qualification system for the global club tournament is now one of the club’s major ambitions for the new season.
“We hope that, under the current points system, we can collect enough points to qualify for the next Club World Cup. That is Buriram’s main objective this season.”
The statement underlines the growing ambitions of the Thai powerhouse, which is increasingly looking to establish itself as a genuine force beyond Southeast Asia.
The FIFA Club World Cup represents one of the biggest stages available to club football, bringing together continental champions and leading clubs from around the world.
For Buriram, qualifying would represent a landmark achievement not only for the club but also for Southeast Asian football.
Chonnan believes the opportunity to compete alongside some of the biggest names in world football is a target worth pursuing.
“We want to create a major success as a club from ASEAN — to appear at the Club World Cup alongside top coaches such as Jose Mourinho and world-class players.”
That ambition reflects the club’s long-term strategy of raising its profile on the continental stage rather than measuring success solely through domestic trophies.
Buriram’s approach places even greater importance on their AFC Champions League Elite campaign.
Every strong performance, victory and valuable point in Asia could become significant in the wider race for Club World Cup qualification under the current continental ranking and points framework.
Buriram have already established themselves as one of Thailand’s most successful clubs, but a Club World Cup appearance would take the club to an entirely different level.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
