Myanmar's men's national team has a proud early history in Asian football. Competing as Burma, the team finished runners-up at the 1968 Asian Cup and won Asian Games football gold in 1966 and 1970. The country has never won the Asian Cup or reached the World Cup.
World Cup 2026 status
Myanmar entered the AFC qualifying route for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but did not reach the finals. The country is still waiting for its first World Cup appearance.
| 2026 status | Qualification route | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Entered qualifying; did not qualify | AFC qualifying | Did not reach the finals |
Burma won Asian Games football gold
Burma finished runners-up at the AFC Asian Cup
The team continued its regional competition pathway
Still waiting for a modern Asian Cup return and World Cup appearance
An early Asian football power seeking a revival
Competing as Burma, Myanmar finished runners-up at the 1968 Asian Cup and won Asian Games football gold in 1966 and 1970. The 1968 Asian Cup used a five-team round-robin format: runners-up describes Burma's final position, not a defeat in a single championship final. That early record made the team one of Southeast Asia's strongest sides of the era.
Modern football has been more difficult, with inconsistent qualifying results and a need for stronger player development. Myanmar ended their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying group with 12 points after a 2-1 win away to Pakistan on 31 March 2026, but Syria took the group’s only finals place.
Myanmar's tournament profile
Southeast Asia provides the route back
Myanmar's regional matches against Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are the most important development tests. A stronger domestic pathway and regular professional experience could restore the team's competitive edge.
Myanmar's men's record at a glance
| Tournament | Best result | Reference year |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Asian Cup | Runner-up | 1968 |
| Asian Games football | Gold medal | 1966, 1970 |
| FIFA World Cup | Never qualified | Waiting |
The next step
Myanmar need a stable regional cycle before an Asian Cup qualification run can become realistic. The long-term goal is to reconnect with the country's early Asian football history.
Myanmar's road from Asian Cup history to a modern return
Frequently asked questions
Has Myanmar won the Asian Cup?
No. Myanmar have never won the AFC Asian Cup.
Has Myanmar qualified for the World Cup?
No. Myanmar have never reached the FIFA World Cup finals.
What was Myanmar previously called?
The national team competed historically as Burma; the country is now Myanmar.
Data sources & verification for Myanmar
Trophy dates are checked against official competition information and the relevant football confederation.
See Myanmar's full Waiting Room profile and live tournament counter.
View Myanmar's Waiting Room profile →Record sources
Match reports and historical records support the specific results and competition distinctions discussed above.