Brunei Replace Bahrain in King’s Cup 2026 at Thailand

Brunei have replaced Bahrain in the 52nd King’s Cup after Bahrain withdrew, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) announced as it prepares to stage the tournament in Sisaket province from 9 to 17 November 2026.

The King’s Cup will be played as an International ‘A’ Match tournament in the FIFA calendar window. It is the first time Sisaket has hosted the competition.

FAT had earlier confirmed three invited teams: Oman (ranked 81st in the world), Bahrain (97th) and Tajikistan (100th). Bahrain’s football association has since written to FAT asking to pull out. It said a change in its coaching staff meant it needed to review its training plans and its November fixtures. Bahraini media reported earlier this month that the team had parted ways with Croatian head coach Dragan Talajic and his staff after a group-stage exit at the Arabian Gulf Cup.

With Bahrain’s withdrawal coming so close to the tournament, FAT sent invitations to teams with no clashing fixtures in the window. Brunei, ranked 196th in the world, have now officially accepted. They will join hosts Thailand, Oman and Tajikistan in the four-team event.

FAT will hold the draw and an official press conference on Monday, 19 October 2026, at 2pm (Thailand time). The event will take place in the press room at the Gallery Hotel in Sisaket. The matches to be played at Sisaket SAT Stadium.

Oman, Bahrain and Tajikistan had all qualified for the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, which starts on 7 January, so the tournament was set to double as preparation for them. Brunei, a far lower-ranked side, will provide a very different test for the other teams.

Credit Photo : FABD