MANILA — The Philippine Men’s National Football Team begins its quest for a breakthrough ASEAN Championship crown on July 28, opening its 2026 campaign against Myanmar at the New Clark City Stadium as the Filipinos aim to build on their semifinal finish in the previous edition and return to the tournament’s knockout stage.
The 2026 ASEAN Championship runs from July 24 to Aug. 26, with the Philippines drawn in a tough group alongside Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos. Only the top two teams in the group will advance to the semifinals.
After hosting Myanmar, the Filipinos will travel to Vientiane to face Laos on Aug. 1 at the New Laos National Stadium before returning home for a crucial showdown against regional powerhouse Thailand on Aug. 4 at the New Clark City Stadium.
The Philippines will conclude its group-stage campaign against Malaysia on Aug. 8 in Kuala Lumpur.
Leading the national squad are goalkeepers Quincy Kameraad, Patrick Deyto, and Enrico Mangaoang.
Anchoring the defense are Noah Leddel, Adrian Ugelvik, Ilonggo Jaime Rosquillo, Christian Rontini, Santi Rublico, John Lucero, Daisuke Sato, and Scott Woods.
The midfield will be handled by Oskari Kekkonen, Cole Mrowka, Sandro Reyes, Javier Mariona, and Gavin Muens, while the attacking unit is composed of Jarvey Gayoso, Andre Leipold, Pocholo Bugas, Aarran Long, Andres Aldeguer, Martini Rey, and Elijah Ritarita.
The Filipinos are seeking another deep run after reaching the ASEAN Championship semifinals in both 2018 and 2024. The national team, however, was eliminated in the group stage in the 2020 and 2022 editions.
In the 2024 tournament, the Philippines fell to eventual finalist Thailand in the semifinals on aggregate, making this year’s campaign another opportunity to break through and capture the country’s first-ever ASEAN Championship title./PN
