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Cambodia Sets Two-Decade Roadmap for FIFA World Cup Bid

Terry Felix​​​​   On February 23, 2026 - 1:55 am​   In Asia Pacific   1mn Read
Cambodia Sets Two-Decade Roadmap for FIFA World Cup Bid Cambodia Sets Two-Decade Roadmap for FIFA World Cup Bid

PHNOM PENH, Feb 23, 2026 — Cambodia’s Football Federation has set an ambitious target of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in 2042 or 2046, with its president Sao Sokha outlining a long-term strategy centered on grassroots development and technical improvement.

Speaking at the federation’s congress on Feb. 21, Sao Sokha said building a competitive national team would require systematic training from an early age, particularly focusing on ball control skills in kindergartens and primary schools.

“In football, controlling the ball is very important,” he said, emphasizing that technical ability outweighs physical strength or speed. “If opponents cannot take the ball from our feet, we control the field.”

He said the federation would strengthen youth competitions nationwide to identify promising players and channel them into advanced training programs at the National Football Centre in Tonle Bati.

Sao Sokha, head of the Cambodia's Football Association
Sao Sokha, head of the Cambodia’s Football Association

Cambodia has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup and remains among Asia’s developing football nations. The country has been investing in infrastructure and youth programs in recent years in a bid to raise standards and improve competitiveness.

Sao Sokha said foreign experts had advised the federation on long-term technical planning and youth development models.

The 2042 and 2046 World Cups fall nearly two decades from now, reflecting what the federation described as a strategic, generational approach to building a stronger national team.

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