Cambodia's national football team represents a nation where the sport has grown steadily from grassroots and semi-amateur foundations into an increasingly structured competitive framework. Football in Cambodia traces its organised roots to the mid-twentieth century, with the Cambodian Football Federation (FFC) serving as the governing body responsible for both the national team and the domestic pyramid. The team competes under the AFC umbrella in Asian qualifying rounds and regional tournaments, though it has historically faced tough competition from stronger footballing nations across Southeast Asia.
The domestic top flight, the Cambodian Premier League, was professionalised in 2005 and provides the primary talent pool for the national side. Clubs such as Phnom Penh Crown, Visakha, and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng have emerged as consistent forces in the league, giving the federation a more competitive base from which to draw international players. A notable milestone in the development of Cambodian football came in 2013, when the J.League and the Cambodian football authorities signed a formal partnership agreement, opening pathways for technical exchange and development.
In 2021, governance of the professional league was reorganised with the formation of the Cambodian Football League Company (CFLC), reflecting a broader ambition to professionalise football administration. The national team identity is closely tied to the resilience and growth of the sport in a country where football competes for attention alongside other popular disciplines. Regional rivalry within the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Championship frames much of the national team's competitive calendar, with matches against neighbouring Southeast Asian sides carrying particular significance for Cambodian supporters.