New coach Anthony Hudson: Thailand's football should flourish!

New coach Anthony Hudson: Thailand's football should flourish!

A breath of fresh air is blowing through Thai football. On October 22, 2025, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) announced the appointment of Anthony Hudson as the new head coach of the national team. The decision came just a day after the resignation of Japanese coach Masatada Ishii, who left his post on October 21. Hudson, 44 years old and a British coach with plenty of experience, now wants to direct the fortunes of the Thai national team.

Anthony Hudson is no stranger to Thai football. He was previously Technical Director of FAT and led BG Pathum United to success with an impressive win rate of over 58%. His experience extends to his time as coach of the New Zealand national team, where he took them to the intercontinental playoffs for the 2018 World Cup. Hudson is seen by many as a solid choice to give Thailand new impetus in international football.

A promising debut

Hudson will play his first game as coach of the Thai national team on November 13 against Singapore, which will be played as a friendly match. Before that there is an important trip as on November 18th they head to Sri Lanka to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. A first big test match against Turkmenistan in Thailand is planned for March 31, 2026, where the team can prove itself under Hudson.

The challenges that await Hudson cannot be underestimated. Thailand has not qualified for a World Cup in the past and is seeking better performance in international competitions. Hopefully Hudson has the right touch and puts the team on a successful course.

A look at the history of Thai football

Thai football has a long and storied history, dating back to 1917 when the first national team was created. The first official international appearance took place in 1948 against the Republic of China, but ended in a clear 1:6 defeat. Although Thailand has never qualified for a World Cup, they have been quite successful in the region, winning seven ASEAN Football Championship titles since 1996. The introduction of Hudson could now usher in a new chapter in this success story.

Fans are excited to see how the Thai team will develop under Hudson. So far, the U23 team has lost a friendly against China's U23 3-1, highlighting the need for fresh thinking and new strategies. Anthony Hudson has a lot to do to meet the fans' expectations and turn the national team into a powerful team. The next few weeks will be exciting for Thai football and its supporters.

The world of football often holds surprises and perhaps this is the beginning of a new era for Thailand. It remains to be seen whether Hudson has the skills to get the best out of the players and take Thai football to the next level.

For more information, visit Vietnam, Wikipedia about Anthony Hudson) and Wikipedia about Thai National football team.