Border tensions led Cambodia to withdraw from 8 of 21 registered SEA Games 33 events, including football, due to athlete safety concerns.

This leaves men's football group A with only host Thailand and Timor Leste. Group B consists of Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia, while group C includes Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Singapore.

U22 Cambodia players training in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 26/11. *Photo: FFC.*

Faced with a potential redraw, SEA Games 33 organizers met on 27/11. Kongsak Yodmanee, Director General of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), proposed moving Singapore from group C to group A. This would create three groups with three teams each. The proposal is based on Singapore being in the lowest seed group (4) during the initial draw.

Thailand awaits approval from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before officially informing member federations.

In addition to the draw issue, SEA Games organizers confirmed that men's football group B matches will be held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. This decision follows the relocation of group B and nine other sports from Songkhla province due to flooding.

The two women's football groups remain unchanged. Group A comprises host Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Group B includes Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, and Malaysia.

Flooding and border tensions with Cambodia pose challenges for host Thailand in organizing SEA Games 33. Beyond football, Cambodia also withdrew from seven other events: sepak takraw, petanque, wrestling, and martial arts such as judo, karate, pencak silat, and wushu.

Meanwhile, Cambodia confirmed participation in 13 events: swimming, athletics, esports, fencing, gymnastics, ju-jitsu, kickboxing, taekwondo, equestrian, jet ski, triathlon, teqball, and volleyball. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) stated its commitment to maintaining participation in these events, "conditions permitting."

Cambodia's delegation size decreased from 333 to approximately 150 individuals. Hang Chuon Naron, Cambodia's Minister of Education, Youth, and Sport, urged Thailand to ensure the security and safety of all Cambodian delegates, as well as transparency and fairness in competitions. "If anything happens to the athletes, the host country will be shamed," the minister added.

The Cambodian sports delegation was advised to exercise caution and discipline. The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) assigned personnel to oversee each sport and conduct daily roll calls. Athletes are required to travel in groups, avoid solitary movement, and maintain clear communication.

Hieu Luong