Swedish-born defender Eric Kahl has turned down an approach from the Thai national team ahead of the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup, according to Thai media.
Kahl, 24, was born and raised in Solna, Stockholm, to a Swedish father and Thai mother. He has represented Sweden at U21 level 13 times and remains hopeful of earning a place in the Swedish senior national team.
According to Vietnamese newspaper Thanh Niên, reported by Vietnam.vn, Kahl informed Thailand Football Association president Nualphan “Madam Pang” Lamsam and national team coach Anthony Hudson that he would not represent Thailand in the upcoming tournament. The report says Kahl believes he still has a chance of being called up by Sweden.
Kahl has played for Danish club AGF since moving from Swedish side AIK in 2021. He was part of the AGF team that won the Danish championship in the 2025/26 season – the club’s first league title in 40 years.
His performances also earned him a new contract with AGF in May, keeping him at the Danish club until 2029. AGF said Kahl played every league match during the championship season and described him as a key player in the team’s success.
For Thailand, Kahl’s decision means the national team will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements ahead of its upcoming fixtures.
