Laos national football team

Laos
AssociationLao Football Federation (LFF)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachVladica Grujic
CaptainBounphachan Bounkong
Most capsSoukaphone Vongchiengkham (57)
Top scorerVisay Phaphouvanin (18)[1]
Home stadiumNew Laos National Stadium
FIFA codeLAO
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 190 (19 January 2026)[2]
Highest134 (September 1998)
Lowest210 (August 2012)
First international
 South Vietnam 7–0 Laos 
(Rangoon, Burma; 12 December 1961)[3]
Biggest win
 Laos 6–1 Timor-Leste 
(Vientiane, Laos; 26 October 2010)
Biggest defeat
 United Arab Republic 15–0 Laos 
(Jakarta, Indonesia; 15 November 1963)
AFF Championship
Appearances14 (first in 1996)
Best resultGroup stage (all 14 times)

The Laos national association football team represents Laos in association football and is governed by the Lao Football Federation.

History

Laos established their national football association in 1951. The Southeast Asian nation is still waiting to make its entrance into a major international competition. Laos have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, AFC Asian Cup or Asian Games and as an international side, their appearances have been restricted to regional tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Games and the AFF Championship. After years of internal strife, Laos focused on economic and political recovery. With the country achieving political stability, football has made an impact on Laotians.[5][6]

Since making their appearance at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games, Laos has competed in the inaugural 1996 AFF Championship, drawing against Vietnam 1–1 and winning against Cambodia 1–0. Although they are new to the regional tournaments, Laos has displayed a fiery passion and talent. In 1995, they beat Brunei and Philippines and two years later in the 1997 Southeast Asian Games held in Jakarta, they also beat Malaysia 1–0 and Philippines 4–1. Domestic competitions are also active with over 60 clubs competing at various levels. Domestic football is amateur although most of the top teams are drawn from government ministries and public services. In the qualifying preliminary rounds for the 2004 Asian Cup, Laos beat Bangladesh 2–1. In the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, Laos qualified for the second round as a lucky loser after Guam and Nepal both withdrew from the competition, but proceeded to lose all its games (against Qatar, Iran and Jordan).[7] They also advanced to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, after defeating Cambodia 8–6 on aggregate. In the second round, they lost to China 13–3 on aggregate. Laos has defeated their much more established counterparts such as Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia. Laos' first appearance in a continental tournament was in 2014, when they played at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.[8][9] In 2016, Laos were invited to the inaugural 2016 AFC Solidarity Cup held in Kuching being grouped with Macau, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. In the first match, Laos won Sri Lanka 2–0 before losing to Macau 1–4 but bounced back with another win against Mongolia 3–0 sending the team to the knockout stage. They would go on to face Nepal in the semi-finals and were 2–2 at the end of extra time but lost in the penalty shootout, thus bowing out from the cup.

In 2023, Laos participated in the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification facing against Nepal. On 12 October 2023, Laos contested in a 1–1 draw at the Dasharath Rangasala in Kathmandu but lost 1–0 at home suffering a 2–1 aggregate. Laos would then go on to play in the 2024 ASEAN Championship after playing just two friendlies match against Malaysia and Thailand in November 2024 right before the tournament began.

Team images

Kits

Laos's current kit sponsor is Jogarbola. The contract started in June 2025. Laos was also previously sponsored by Adidas, FBT, Deffo, Evo and Grand Sport. The traditional home colour for the team is all red with white trim and the away colour is all white with red trim. Occasionally, the team wore dark blue short as home jersey and all blue as away jerseys.

Results and fixtures

  Win   Draw   Loss

2025

20 March Friendly Laos  1–2  Sri Lanka Vientiane, Laos
19:45 UTC+7
  • Kydavone 89'
Report
Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Attendance: 3,955
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
25 March 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Vietnam  5–0  Laos Bình Dương, Vietnam
19:30 UTC+7 Report (AFC) Stadium: Gò Đậu Stadium
Attendance: 11,068
Referee: Yahya Ali Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
10 June 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Laos  2–1    Nepal Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7
Report (AFC)
Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Attendance: 5,123
Referee: Nivon Robesh (Sri Lanka)
9 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Laos  0–3  Malaysia Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7 Report Report (AFC)
Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Attendance: 5,289
Referee: Wiwat Jumpao-on (Thailand)
14 October 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Malaysia  5–1  Laos Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
21:00 UTC+8
Report
Report (AFC)
  • Chanthavixay 19'
Stadium: Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Attendance: 18,901
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)
19 November 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification Laos  0–2  Vietnam Vientiane, Laos
19:00 UTC+7 Report (AFC) Stadium: New Laos National Stadium
Attendance: 16,250
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)

2026

Coaching staff

Position Name
Team manager Khonesamai Chanthavongsay
Head coach Vladica Grujic
Assistant coach Kanlaya Sysomvang
Goalkeeper coach Thilavong Phetthavyxay
Fitness coach Suphachai Klangkrasea
Physiotherapists Sivilay Sihathep
Doctor Buaphan Sihavong
Equipment manager Chanthaboun Minsy
Souksomphone Vongkhamphoui
Media manager Thipphakone Phakasy

Managerial history

As of 14 October 2025
Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Win %
Songphu Phongsa January 1996 – December 1999
Outhensackda Vatthana July 1999 – June 2002
Vangchay Muangmany February 2000 – May 2000
Boris Zhuravlyov January 2001 – June 2001 1 0 0 1 0.00
Soutsakhone Oudomphet March 2002 – April 2003
Dominique Fernandez March 2003 – September 2003
Saythong Syphasay October 2003 – October 2004 7 0 1 6 0.00
Bounlap Khenkitisack October 2004 – September 2006 5 1 0 4 20.00
Saythong Syphasay (2) October 2006 – January 2008 7 3 1 3 42.86
Valeriy Vdovin February 2008 – November 2008 4 3 0 1 75.00
Saysana Savatdy December 2008 – July 2009 3 0 0 3 0.00
Alfred Riedl July 2009 – July 2010 5 1 2 2 20.00
David Booth July 2010 – December 2010 6 1 3 2 16.67
Bounlap Khenkitisack (2) January 2011 – February 2011 2 0 1 1 0.00
Hans-Peter Schaller February 2011 – December 2011 4 1 0 3 25.00
Kokichi Kimura May 2012 – January 2014 18 4 5 9 22.22
Norio Tsukitate January 2014 – July 2014 5 0 1 4 0.00
David Booth August 2014 – May 2015 10 4 1 5 40.00
Steve Darby June 2015 – May 2016 6 0 1 5 0.00
Valakone Phomphakdy (interim) May 2016 – December 2016 2 0 1 1 0.00
Vernsavanh Sivisay (interim) 12–21 October 2016 2 1 0 1 50.00
Mike Wong June 2017 – August 2018 3 1 0 2 33.33
V. Sundramoorthy 15 October 2018 – 2019 8 1 3 4 12.50
V. Selvaraj December 2021 4 0 0 4 0.00
Michael Weiß 7 January 2022 – 5 June 2023 13 3 1 9 23.07
Kanlaya Sysomvang (interim) 20 September 2023 – 13 August 2024 2 0 1 1 0
Ha Hyeok-jun 14 August 2024 – 2 January 2026 9 1 3 5 12.00
Vladica Grujic 20 February 2026 – 0 0 0 0 0

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round match against Nepal on 31 March 2026.[12]

Caps and goals as of 19 November 2025, after the match against Vietnam .

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Keo-Oudone Souvannasangso (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 10 0 Army
1GK Kop Lokphathip (2006-05-08) 8 May 2006 4 0 Ezra
1GK Anoulak Vilaphone (2001-02-15) 15 February 2001 0 0 Mazda GB
1GK Soulisack Souvankham (2007-09-10) 10 September 2007 0 0 Luang Prabang

2DF Phoutthavong Sangvilay (2004-10-16) 16 October 2004 23 2 BG Pathum United
2DF Phetdavanh Somsanith (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 14 0 Ezra
2DF Vongsakda Chanthaleuxay (2004-11-28) 28 November 2004 1 0 Mazda GB
2DF Bounpheng Xaysombath (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 2 0 Luang Prabang
2DF Aliyakone Fongsavanh (2004-02-02) 2 February 2004 0 0 Mazda GB
2DF Xayasith Singsavang (2000-12-13) 13 December 2000 7 0 Namtha United
2DF Kiengthavesak Xayxanapanya (1999-03-14) 14 March 1999 4 0 Mazda GB
2DF Khamsanga Phimmasone (2001-04-20) 20 April 2001 0 0 Champasak Avenir
2DF Okham Latsachack (2007-07-22) 22 July 2007 0 0 Army
2DF Viengxay Sidavong (1996-07-03) 3 July 1996 0 0 Namtha United

3MF Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone (2004-02-17) 17 February 2004 18 0 Ezra
3MF Anousone Xaypanya (2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 17 0 Young Elephants
3MF Khampane Douangvilay (2004-02-05) 5 February 2004 2 0 Salavan United
3MF Somlith Sengvanny (1999-08-05) 5 August 1999 3 0 Army
3MF Ketsada Detkhoummane (2007-05-20) 20 May 2007 0 0 Army
3MF Kadam Koneyer (2008-10-10) 10 October 2008 0 0 Young Elephants
3MF Sayfon Keohanam (2006-07-11) 11 July 2006 0 0 Chiangmai United

4FW Bounphachan Bounkong (2000-11-29) 29 November 2000 30 7 Young Elephants
4FW Chony Waenpaseuth (2002-11-27) 27 November 2002 21 2 Ezra
4FW Kydavone Souvanny (1999-12-22) 22 December 1999 18 4 Young Elephants
4FW Soukphachan Lueanthala (2002-08-24) 24 August 2002 11 0 Salavan United
4FW Peter Phanthavong (2006-02-15) 15 February 2006 7 2 Ezra
4FW Somwang Choummaly (2006-06-02) 2 June 2006 0 0 Mazda GB
4FW Kouaycheng Noophackde (2001-01-02) 2 January 2001 0 0 Champasak Avenir
4FW Odin Siphanit (2009-08-07) 7 August 2009 0 0 Mazda GB

Recent call-ups

The following players had been called up to the squad within 12 months preceding the above draft.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Thatsaphone Xaiyasone (2001-01-18) 18 January 2001 0 0 Mazda GB v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025

DF Anantaza Siphongphan (2004-11-09) 9 November 2004 24 0 Ezra v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
DF Xeedee Phomsavanh (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 7 0 Ezra v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
DF Khammanh Thapaseuth (2007-11-30) 30 November 2007 2 0 Ezra v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
DF Oun Phetvongsa (2003-09-29) 29 September 2003 0 0 Ezra v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
DF Chittakone Vannachone (2004-12-24) 24 December 2004 0 0 Luang Prabang v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025

MF Phoutthalak Thongsanith (2002-12-03) 3 December 2002 4 0 Ezra v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
MF Sonevilay Phetviengsy (2004-05-27) 27 May 2004 1 0 Mazda GB v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025
MF Damoth Thongkhamsavath (2004-04-03) 3 April 2004 14 1 Dong A Thanh Hoa v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025

FW Cham Vanpaserth (1998-06-14) 14 June 1998 0 0 Luang Prabang v.  Vietnam, 19 November 2025

INJ Withdrew from the squad due to injury
PRE Included in the preliminary squad or on standby
RET Retired from the team
SUS Serving suspension from the team
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Player records

As of 19 November 2025[13]
Players in bold are still active with Laos.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Soukaphone Vongchiengkham 58 15 2010–2023
2 Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya 55 2 2006–2016
3 Visay Phaphouvanin 50 19 2002–2013
Khampheng Sayavutthi 50 15 2010–2017
5 Phoutthasay Khochalern 47 1 2013–present
6 Chalana Luang-Amath 37 5 1996–2004
Ketsada Souksavanh 37 3 2008–2014
8 Bounphachan Bounkong 35 7 2018–present
Khamphoumy Hanvilay 35 0 2011–2016
Keoviengphet Liththideth 35 4 2010–2018

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Visay Phaphouvanin 19 50 0.38 2002–2013
2 Khampheng Sayavutthi 15 50 0.3 2010–2017
Soukaphone Vongchiengkham 15 58 0.26 2010–2023
4 Bounlap Khenkitisack 7 19 0.37 1993–2000
Bounphachan Bounkong 7 35 0.2 2018–present
6 Lamnao Singto 6 21 0.29 2004–2011
Phithack Kongmathilath 6 24 0.25 2017–2022
Phatthana Syvilay 6 31 0.19 2010–2016
Khonesavanh Sihavong 6 34 0.18 2012–2017
10 Kanlaya Sysomvang 5 19 0.26 2010–2012
Sitthideth Khanthavong 5 24 0.21 2012–2016
Chalana Luang-Amath 5 37 0.14 1993–2004

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Final Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L F A Pld W D L F A
1954 to 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
2002 Did not qualify 6 1 1 4 3 40
2006 8 0 1 7 3 36
2010 Did not enter[14] Did not enter
2014 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 11 19
2018 8 1 1 6 6 29
2022 2 0 1 1 0 1
2026 2 0 1 1 1 2
2030
2034
Total 0/6 0 0 0 0 0 30 3 5 22 24 127

AFC Asian Cup

Final Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1956 Did not enter Did not enter
1960
1964
1968
1972 Withdrew Withdrew
1976
1980
1984 Did not enter Did not enter
1988
1992
1996
2000 Did not qualify 3 1 0 2 2 14
2004 2 1 0 1 3 6
2007 Did not enter Did not enter
2011
2015 Did not qualify AFC Challenge Cup
2019 12 1 2 9 8 41
2023 2 0 1 1 0 1
2027
Total 19 3 3 13 13 62

Asian Games

Final
Year Round M W D L GF GA
1998 21st 2 0 0 2 1 11

AFC Challenge Cup

Final
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA
2006 Removed by AFC
2008 Withdrew[15]
2010 Did not enter
2012 Did not qualify
2014 Group stage 8/8 3 0 1 2 1 7
Total 3 0 1 2 1 7

AFC Solidarity Cup

Final
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
2016 Third place 5 3 1 1 11 9

ASEAN Championship

ASEAN Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1996 Group stage 7th 4 1 1 2 5 10 No qualification
1998 7th 3 0 1 2 2 8 2 1 0 1 2 4
2000 9th 4 0 0 4 0 16 No qualification
2002 8th 3 0 1 2 3 8
2004 8th 4 1 0 3 4 16
2007 8th 3 0 0 3 1 23 4 3 1 0 11 6
2008 8th 3 0 0 3 0 13 4 3 0 1 9 7
2010 8th 3 0 1 2 3 13 3 1 2 0 8 3
2012 7th 3 0 1 2 6 10 4 2 1 1 5 4
2014 8th 3 0 0 3 2 12 4 3 0 1 10 6
2016 Did not qualify 3 2 0 1 7 6
2018 Group stage 9th 4 0 0 4 3 12 Qualified automatically
2020 9th 4 0 0 4 1 14
2022 9th 4 0 1 3 2 15
2024 9th 4 0 2 2 7 11
Total Grroup stage 49 2 8 39 39 181 24 15 4 5 52 36

Head-to-head record

Last match updated was against Malaysia on 14 October 2025

Key
More wins than losses
Equal wins/losses ratio
More losses than wins
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation
 Afghanistan 3 0 2 1 1 3 −2 AFC
 Bangladesh 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 AFC
 Bhutan 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 AFC
 Brunei 11 10 0 1 30 15 +15 AFC
 Cambodia 17 6 3 8 24 30 −6 AFC
 China 2 0 0 2 3 13 −10 AFC
 Chinese Taipei 4 0 1 3 4 10 −6 AFC
 Egypt 1 0 0 1 0 15 −15 CAF
 Guam 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 AFC
 Hong Kong 3 0 0 3 3 13 −10 AFC
 India 2 0 0 2 1 7 −6 AFC
 Indonesia 10 0 2 9 12 48 −36 AFC
 Iran 3 0 0 3 1 20 −19 AFC
 Jordan 2 0 0 2 2 8 −6 AFC
 Kazakhstan 1 0 0 1 0 5 −5 UEFA
 Kuwait 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 AFC
 Lebanon 2 0 0 2 0 9 −9 AFC
 Lesotho 1 0 0 1 1 3 −2 CAF
 Macau 2 0 0 2 2 7 −5 AFC
 Malaysia 22 1 5 18 12 70 −58 AFC
 Maldives 4 0 1 3 3 15 −12 AFC
 Mongolia 5 3 1 1 8 5 +3 AFC
 Myanmar 19 0 4 15 13 58 −45 AFC
   Nepal 7 1 2 4 8 10 −2 AFC
 Oman 0 0 0 2 0 19 −19 AFC
 Philippines 14 7 3 4 23 22 +1 AFC
 Qatar 0 0 0 2 1 11 −10 AFC
 Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 1 0 4 −4 AFC
 Singapore 13 1 1 11 12 42 −30 AFC
 South Korea 7 0 0 5 0 28 −28 AFC
 Sri Lanka 8 3 2 3 12 14 −2 AFC
 Syria 2 0 0 2 0 20 −20 AFC
 Thailand 13 1 2 10 15 46 −31 AFC
 Timor-Leste 8 7 0 1 22 9 +13 AFC
 Turkmenistan 2 0 0 2 3 9 −6 AFC
 United Arab Emirates 3 0 0 3 0 9 −9 AFC
 Vietnam[a] 24 0 2 22 6 95 −89 AFC
37 Countries 217 42 31 144 221 683 −462 FIFA
  1. ^ Includes matches against South Vietnam and North Vietnam.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Stadiums in Nepal do not meet AFC requirements, Nepal will be required to play their home matches at a neutral venue.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ Mamrud, Roberto; Stokkermans, Karel. "Players with 100+ Caps and 30+ International Goals". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Laos matches, ratings and points exchanged". World Football Elo Ratings: Laos. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  5. ^ "LFF hold knowledge exchange workshop with DFL". Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Laos National Team - Thailandoriginalmade". Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Laos national football team". Archived from the original on 6 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Laos national football team: FIFA ranking". www.11v11.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Laos". 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Nepal mượn sân Thống Nhất đá vòng loại Asian Cup". Vnexpress. 10 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Bukit Jalil to host Malaysia's 'away' clash with Nepal". NST Online. 16 September 2025.
  12. ^ "https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CbtZBXFnm/" (in Lao). Lao Football Federation. 20 March 2026. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); External link in |title= (help)
  13. ^ "Laos". National Football Teams.
  14. ^ "Record number of 204 teams enter preliminary competition". FIFA Media Department. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Laos withdraw from AFC Challenge Cup". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  • Laos at FIFA.com
  • Laos 2012/13 [1] at FIFA.com