Ogawa Sets Ambitious Target With Cambodia at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

Cambodia naturalised international Yudai Ogawa has set his sights on winning the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as he prepares to represent the Southeast Asian nation at the regional tournament.

The Japan-born midfielder is among several naturalised players included in Cambodia’s squad for the competition. Ogawa obtained Cambodian citizenship in October 2023 before making his international debut against Pakistan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Ogawa became the first naturalised player to represent the Cambodia national team, a milestone that has given him a strong emotional connection with his adopted country. The player has repeatedly expressed his pride in wearing the Cambodian shirt and representing the nation on the international stage.

“I am very proud to wear the Cambodia national team shirt and represent this country. Every time I play for the national team, it feels very special,” Ogawa said, as quoted by FIFA.

Now preparing for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Ogawa and Cambodia have been drawn in Division 2 alongside Hong Kong, Myanmar and Timor-Leste.

The tournament represents an important opportunity for Cambodia to demonstrate the progress of its football programme while competing for regional silverware. Ogawa believes the team can enter the competition with a stronger squad and ambitions that extend beyond simply making up the numbers.

“This will be a very special tournament because we will be competing to win the title. I believe we can play with our strongest squad this time,” he said.

Ogawa is also aware of the challenges posed by Cambodia’s opponents. He highlighted Myanmar’s physical strength while identifying Timor-Leste’s counter-attacking ability as another potential threat.

Despite those challenges, the player insists Cambodia are determined to compete seriously throughout the tournament. Ogawa has made it clear that the team’s objective is to challenge for the trophy while also improving the country’s position in the FIFA world rankings.

“I want to win the title with the Cambodia national team and contribute by helping improve our FIFA ranking. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a great opportunity for us, so I will give everything I have,” Ogawa added.

For Ogawa, the tournament offers another significant chapter in his international career. As Cambodia prepare to test themselves against regional opposition, the naturalised midfielder hopes his experience and commitment can help the team take another step forward and compete for their biggest possible achievement.