Thailand finalizes regulations on players attending SEA Games 33: Xuan Son cannot participate

The organizing committee of the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand has just announced the application of new regulations for men's football, allowing teams to only use U22 players, no longer having additional U22+3 slots like previous SEA Games. This decision was approved after a meeting of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT).

The aim of this regulation is to promote the development of youth football, while creating a fair playing field for all participating teams. According to the announcement from the Organizing Committee, using only U22 players will help young talents have more opportunities to compete, train and develop.

Thus, Xuan Son or some other excellent players of the Vietnam National Team are too old and will not be able to strengthen the SEA Games arena.

Men's football at SEA Games 33 will only have the participation of U22 players.

The 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20, 2025 in Thailand, including men's football, women's football, men's futsal and women's futsal.

The rule of using only U22 players in men's football was also applied at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. At this tournament, the U22 Indonesia team won the gold medal against U22 Thailand in the final match. Meanwhile, U22 Vietnam won the bronze medal after a 3-1 victory over U22 Myanmar in the third-place match.

VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik have proactively built up the squad to participate in the 33rd SEA Games very early. During the FIFA Days in 2024, VFF has summoned many young players with the potential to become the core of the U22 Vietnam squad.

In particular, in September 2024, the Vietnam U22 team was given the opportunity to train and participate in an international friendly tournament in China. Players such as goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, midfielder Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Van Truong, Nguyen Thai Son, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Quoc Viet, Bui Vi Hao had the opportunity to join the national team, many of whom performed well when competing at the AFF Cup 2024.

Along with building the force, VFF will continue to coordinate with VPF Company to ensure the 2025 season schedule is suitable for the training sessions of the national team and U22 team.

According to the plan, the Vietnam U22 team will participate in the international U22 football tournament in China in March 2025, with the participation of host U22 China and two quality guest U22 teams.

Mr. Ngoc

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/thai-lan-chot-quy-dinh-cau-thu-du-sea-games-33-xuan-son-khong-the-gop-mat-ar922709.html