Philippines draws familiar foes as ASEAN Hyundai Cup sets stage for Thailand rematch

The road to the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 is already lined with history for the Philippine Men’s National Team.

Following Thursday’s draw ceremony in Jakarta, the Philippines found itself grouped with regional heavyweights Thailand, along with Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos in Group B of Southeast Asia’s premier men’s football tournament set for July 24 to August 26.

While every group match carries weight, one fixture instantly stood out — another showdown with Thailand, a rivalry that took on new meaning just a year ago.

The two sides crossed paths in the semifinals of the previous edition, then known as the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup, producing one of the most memorable moments in Philippine football in recent memory. 

Playing at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on December 27, 2024, the Filipinos stunned the War Elephants with a 2-1 victory in the first leg, sealed by a dramatic late goal from Kike Linares — a win widely regarded as the country’s first over Thailand in 52 years.

Thailand, however, reminded everyone of its pedigree in the return leg. Backed by a packed Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, the Thais regrouped and pulled off a 3-1 win to take the series on aggregate, 4-3, ultimately marching on to the final.

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The ASEAN Championship 2026 is set!

All the nations have discovered their fate and will renew rivalries when the tournament kicks off on July 24. #AseanChampionship2026 #HyundaiCup pic.twitter.com/9jtYugyI3I

— ESPN Asia (@ESPNAsia) January 15, 2026

That unfinished business now carries into the group stage of the newly rebranded ASEAN Hyundai Cup, giving the Philippines an early chance to test how far it has come since that breakthrough moment.

Beyond Thailand, Group B presents no easy paths. Malaysia brings its usual physicality and tournament experience, while Myanmar and Laos offer dangerous opportunities for ambush if overlooked. For the Filipinos, consistency across the group will be just as crucial as the marquee clash.

On the other side of the draw, Group A features defending champion Vietnam alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the winner of the playoff between Brunei and Timor-Leste.

As the countdown to kickoff begins, the draw has ensured one thing: the Philippines won’t have to wait long to measure itself against the region’s best — and to see whether last year’s breakthrough against Thailand was a turning point, or just the beginning. 

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