Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) officially announced its highly anticipated Men’s U22 and Women’s National Football Squads on November 24, as preparations intensify for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand. Both teams are poised for challenging encounters, with the U22 men’s team set to face East Timor in their opening match and host nation Thailand in a crucial Group A fixture. The Cambodian women’s team also finds itself drawn in a formidable group alongside Thailand.
The FFC has selected a 23-player roster for the Men’s U22 squad. Of these, 21 currently ply their trade in the Cambodian Premier League, showcasing the strength of domestic talent. Key contributions come from clubs such as Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Football Association, NagaWorld, Phnom Penh Crown, ISI Dangkor Sen Chey, and Angkor Tiger, each contributing three players. Boeung Ket and Visakha Football Clubs have two members each, while Sihanoukville Life MOU Kampong Deva adds one player to the squad.
Adding an international dimension, two players have been called up from foreign leagues. Lim Loka Thong represents Auckland United in the New Zealand Premier League, bringing valuable overseas experience. He is joined by Chhoeun Davin, who plays for York United FC in the Canadian Premier League, further enhancing the team’s depth and skill set.
The Men’s U22 team will kick off their Group A campaign against East Timor on December 6. Their decisive final group stage match will be against the hosts, Thailand, on December 11, with both crucial games slated to take place at the iconic Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.
In the men’s football tournament, Group B will feature Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos. Defending champions Indonesia are placed in Group C, alongside Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore, setting the stage for competitive group stage battles.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian women’s national team has also finalized its 23-player squad. The Phnom Penh Crown team contributes the largest contingent with eight members, demonstrating its strong presence in women’s football. Other significant contributions come from clubs like NagaWorld (5 players), Siem Reap (3 players), Boeung Ket (2 players), and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng (2 players). One player from Mister Football Club is also included, along with additional selections directly from the FFC.
The women’s football tournament will see Cambodia competing in Group A, alongside hosts Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Group B promises intense competition with defending champions Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Malaysia vying for progression.
Beyond football, Cambodia is sending a substantial delegation to the 33rd SEA Games 2025, comprising 222 athletes along with sports officials and other leaders, totaling 332 individuals. This diverse delegation will compete for medals across 21 different sports. The games are scheduled to run from December 3 to December 20, 2025.
The array of sports in which Cambodian athletes will compete includes athletics, swimming, horseback riding, fencing, aerobics, judo, taekwondo, karate, volleyball, football, wrestling, triathlon, pencak silat, kickboxing, petanque, sepak takraw, jiu-jitsu, wushu, table football, esports, and jet skiing. Cambodia aims to showcase its athletic prowess and achieve success across these various disciplines.
