ASEAN Cup 2026: Myanmar hopes for experience of new coach Andersen

Only a few weeks prior to the start of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) took a significant step by naming Norwegian tactician Jorn Andersen as head coach of the national side.

The 63-year-old manager signed a two-year contract and will make his official debut in the match against Malaysia at Thuwunna Stadium (Yangon) on July 25, which is the first fixture of Group B. This move is seen as a clear sign of Myanmar's determination to revamp the team as they compete with strong opponents like Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Laos for one of the two semifinal berths.

Andersen is no stranger to Asian football. After hanging up his boots, the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker spent many years working in the region. He previously coached North Korea and guided them to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup finals before parting ways. Subsequently, the Norwegian strategist moved to the K League to manage Incheon United, and later made a strong impression during more than two years in charge of Hong Kong (China).

Under Andersen, Hong Kong qualified for the Asian Cup finals for the first time in 55 years and also reached the semifinals of the men's football tournament at the 2022 Asian Games—a feat widely regarded as exceeding expectations. After leaving Hong Kong in 2024, he went on to help Yunnan Yukun gain promotion to the Chinese Super League.

It is precisely his long experience working in Asia that convinced the MFF to trust Andersen. In the announcement of his appointment, the Myanmar Football Federation stressed that the Norwegian coach was selected for his "expertise in Asian football, international experience, and team-building ability." The goal is not only to improve short-term results but also to gradually raise the profile of Myanmar football in the regional arena.

During his introduction ceremony, Andersen also outlined a clear direction. He affirmed that he would strive to develop Myanmar players throughout his contract and aim to help the team achieve the greatest possible success. Although the preparation time before the ASEAN Cup is quite short, the Norwegian coach immediately began shaping the squad and testing personnel.

One of Andersen's first moves was to refresh the squad. According to the 26-player list announced in mid-July, he retained experienced pillars like Myat Kaung Khant and Soe Moe Kyaw while giving opportunities to new faces such as Kaung Myat Nyein and Saw Myo Zaw. These decisions indicate that Andersen did not opt for a complete overhaul, but rather aimed for a blend of experience and youth to foster internal competition within the team.

Andersen's appointment also comes as Myanmar seeks a new direction after years of failing to make an impact in the regional competition. Their best performance at the ASEAN Championship is two semifinal appearances in 2004 and 2016. In recent tournaments, Myanmar has often been eliminated in the group stage and struggled to maintain consistency against stronger opponents.

Therefore, the arrival of a coach who has succeeded in various environments is expected to help the team improve their organization, particularly in the defensive system.