Bangkok: Jude Soonsap Bell, the Thai English striker currently playing for Grimsby Town in League Two, has officially accepted the call to join the Thai national football team. The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur player will represent Thailand during the FIFA Day in November.
According to Thai News Agency, the decision came after extensive discussions with Nualphan Lamsam, the president of the Football Association of Thailand, affectionately known as "Madam Pang." The discussions had been ongoing since last year, and Soonsap Bell is now ready to proceed with the necessary paperwork. Anthony Hudson, the coach of Thailand's national team, has expressed his approval, having personally nominated Soonsap Bell as a candidate for the upcoming matches in the FIFA Day calendar scheduled for November 2025.
The Thai national team is scheduled to play a warm-up match at home against Singapore on November 13, 2025. This will be followed by a crucial away match against Sri Lanka in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers on November 18, 2025. The inclusion of Soonsap Bell is expected to bolster the squad's attacking options.
Soonsap Bell, aged 21, has a diverse background with an English father and a Thai mother. He began his professional career by signing with Chelsea at 17 and made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup against Brentford. In 2023, he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, primarily playing for the U21 team. He later moved to Cordoba in Spain's Segunda Division before joining Grimsby Town, where he has made eight appearances this season. Additionally, he has represented England's youth teams from Under 15 to Under 19, showcasing his potential on the international stage.