Why did U22 Singapore not participate in men's football at SEA Games 33?

(NLDO) - Singapore decided not to send the national U22 team to participate in men's football at the 33rd SEA Games, the tournament taking place in Thailand is at risk of having only 10 participating teams.

The men's football event of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33), taking place in Thailand in December 2025, is considered a launching pad to produce national team players in Southeast Asia.

U22 Singapore (blue shirt) has not had good results in international competitions recently.

The upcoming tournament will be played in a new format with the initial plan of having 11 national U22 teams participating, seeded and divided into 3 groups. However, on August 6, U22 Singapore decided not to participate in this sport due to its weak force.

The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) will send 762 athletes to participate in 42 sports of the 33rd SEA Games, but will be absent from men's football for the first time since 1969. Previously, the Singapore U23 team also did not participate in the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship.

SNOC's decision was met with fierce resistance from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). FAS President Forrest Li expressed his desire to bring the Singapore U22 team to compete at the 33rd SEA Games to create opportunities for competition and help develop the national youth team.

U22 Singapore (red shirt) in the loss to U22 Vietnam

"Participating in the men's football event at the 33rd SEA Games is very important for the development of young players. We understand that there may be some concerns, as the team did not achieve good results at the 32nd SEA Games, but from the FAS' perspective, we will do our best to help the Singapore U22 team continue to participate in this tournament," said Mr. Forrest Li.

As planned, the group stage of men's football at the 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 3 to 12; the semi-finals will be held on December 15; the third-place match and the final will be held on December 18. Three stadiums have been chosen as competition venues, including Rajamangala (Bangkok), Tinsulanonda (Songkhla) and 700th Anniversary of Chiangmai (Chiangmai).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/vi-sao-u22-singapore-khong-tham-du-mon-bong-da-nam-sea-games-33-1962508071038002.htm