Who will lead Harimau Malaya at the ASEAN Cup?

The Malaysian national football team, affectionately known as Harimau Malaya, faces uncertainty regarding its leadership for the upcoming ASEAN Cup 2026. This comes after Nafuzi Zain's early departure as the head coach of the U-23 squad, a role he was slated to continue in for the regional tournament.

Zain officially announced his resignation, stating it was time to end his journey with the team, which he described as being very close to his heart. He conveyed his appreciation to the management, support staff, players, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his service. "Today (yesterday), I announce my resignation as Head Coach of the U23 squad. It is certainly not easy to say goodbye to a team that is so close to my heart," Zain said in a statement.

Despite his departure, Nafuzi Zain expressed confidence in the future of the U-23 team, believing the current young players possess significant potential to develop and become valuable assets for the nation. "I am confident that this team will continue to grow and achieve success with the talent and potential of the young players available, thus making them important assets in the future," he added.

Harimau Malaya has been drawn into Group B of the ASEAN Cup alongside Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 26. The Malaysian Football Association (FAM) now faces the immediate challenge of appointing a new coach to steer the team through this crucial competition.