Interim head coach Chen Qinghe has called up 26 players, including naturalized defender Sumali, to prepare for the 2026 Southeast Asian Football Championship.
Sumali Returns to National Team Setup
Naturalized player Sumali returns to the national fold after being selected by Chen Qinghe for the 2026 tournament.
The FAM noted that the selection process was challenging due to the tournament falling outside the official FIFA international match calendar. This timing coincided with Malaysian Super League clubs beginning their preparations for the new season, complicating the availability of key players.
New Faces and Squad Composition
Chen Qinghe has introduced several new players to the national team to broaden the squad’s depth. The newcomers include Gunalan, Faris, Hazik, Zia, and Ubaidullah. The final 26-man training list features a heavy presence from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), with multiple players selected from both the senior team and JDT II.
The squad also includes overseas-based talent, such as Chen Li Hua from Ross County and Wang Gu Zain from Jacksonville Sporting Club, adding international experience to the defensive and midfield lines.
2026 Southeast Asian Football Championship Schedule
Malaysia is placed in Group B and will play a series of matches across Southeast Asia and at home. The group stage follows a specific itinerary:
- July 28: Home against Laos (Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium)
- August 3: Away against Thailand (Bangkok)
- August 8: Home against Philippines (Cheras)
The top two teams from the group will advance to the semi-finals. According to the tournament format, the semi-finals will be played over two legs on August 22 and August 26.
Official Training Camp Roster
| Player | Age | Club/Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Sumali | 32 | Johor Darul Ta’zim |
| Ibrahim | 25 | Johor Darul Ta’zim |
| Dalil | 24 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Bavithran | 21 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Zia | 23 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Alif | 23 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Faris | 20 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Hazik | 21 | Johor Darul Ta’zim II |
| Joshua | 37 | Kuala Lumpur City |
| Zafiri | 32 | Kuala Lumpur City |
| Fazrul | 26 | Kuala Lumpur City |
| Jimmy | 30 | Kuching City |
| Rotney | 30 | Kuching City |
| Rahadi Yazid | 25 | Terengganu |
| Ubaidullah | 23 | Terengganu |
| Azri | 27 | Negeri Sembilan |
| Ruwendiran | 25 | Melaka |
| Alif | 26 | Penang |
| Chen Jun Ren | 29 | Sabah |
| Santos | 31 | Unannounced |
| Engku Syakil | 28 | Unannounced |
| Saffik | 31 | Unannounced |
| Aquilera | 32 | Unannounced |
| Hadif Ayya | 26 | T三重胜者联 (TPL) |
| Chen Li Hua | 24 | Ross County |
| Wang Gu Zain | 28 | Jacksonville Sporting Club |
The squad’s immediate focus is the tight eight-day window to integrate the new arrivals and veterans before the trip to Yangon.
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