KUALA LUMPUR – After years of anticipation, American-born midfielder Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal has finally reported for Harimau Malaya duty, with his long-awaited national team call-up becoming a reality ahead of the 2026 AFF Asean Championship.
The 27-year-old joined training yesterday as Malaysia intensified preparations under head coach Tan Cheng Hoe for Saturday’s Group A opener against Myanmar at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium.
Wan Kuzain’s arrival ends years of speculation among Malaysian football fans, who have closely followed his progress since he began making his mark in the United States.
Currently with Sporting JAX in the USL Championship, the technically gifted midfielder is expected to add creativity and control to Malaysia’s midfield through his vision, composure and range of passing.
His ability to dictate the tempo and threaten from long range also gives Cheng Hoe another attacking weapon.
Wan Kuzain first rose to prominence after representing the United States Under-17 team between 2013 and 2014.
Although eligible to represent both the United States and Malaysia, he remained firmly on the radar of Malaysian fans as his professional career progressed.
His first opportunity to don the Malaysian jersey came in 2019 when he was called up to the national Under-22 squad for the SEA Games in the Philippines.
However, citizenship documentation issues prevented him from being registered for the tournament, denying him what would have been his international debut.
Seven years later, Wan Kuzain has finally earned another chance—this time with the senior national team—and will be hoping to make his long-awaited Harimau Malaya debut during Malaysia’s AFF Asean Championship campaign. – July 22, 2026