KUALA LUMPUR — Concerns are mounting over Harimau Malaya’s preparations ahead of the June FIFA international window, with no friendly matches confirmed as neighbouring Southeast Asian nations finalise their schedules for the upcoming break.
With the June 1 to June 9 FIFA window approaching, questions are being raised over whether the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) may miss an important opportunity to improve the national team’s FIFA ranking, assess new players and build momentum ahead of the Asean Cup.
Regional football platform Seasia Goal recently reported that Malaysia and Vietnam are among the few Southeast Asian countries yet to announce friendly fixtures for the international window.
The situation stands in sharp contrast to regional rivals who have already secured high-profile matches. Indonesia are scheduled to face Oman and Mozambique, Thailand will meet Kuwait and China, while Singapore are set to take on Mongolia and China.
Speaking to Scoop, former national footballer and Selangor FC legend D. Surendran said the absence of international friendlies would represent a major setback for Harimau Malaya, particularly in their bid to climb the FIFA rankings.
“If it is true that there will be no friendly matches, then it is definitely a huge loss for the national team because every match played during the FIFA window offers an opportunity to collect ranking points.
“When other countries continue playing international matches and gaining points, we risk being left behind. Even if our ranking does not drop immediately, other teams can overtake us simply because they remain active while we are inactive.
“These FIFA windows are extremely important, not only for rankings but also for the development of the squad. It is the best platform for the coaching staff to assess new players, test different tactical approaches and strengthen combinations within the team ahead of major tournaments,” he said.
Malaysia are currently ranked 138th in the world, and the June window would have offered the national side an opportunity to gain valuable ranking points while refining preparations for the Asean Cup, which is scheduled to take place from July to August.
For the regional tournament, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos.
Surendran stressed that friendly matches play a crucial role in helping players build chemistry, rhythm and confidence before entering a competitive tournament.
“Preparation is not just about training sessions. Players need actual match situations to improve understanding, communication and confidence on the pitch. Friendly matches allow the coaches to identify weaknesses early and make adjustments before the real competition begins.
“At the same time, supporters also want to see progress from the national team. Every FIFA window should be utilised properly because these opportunities do not come often.
“Of course, there could be certain constraints behind the scenes that make it difficult for FAM to arrange matches, whether it involves scheduling, finances or securing suitable opponents.
“But from a football perspective, it would certainly be disappointing if the window passes without the team playing even a single game,” he said. – May 23, 2026