In the Sixties, Myanmar was a huge force in football in Asia -- thanks to the coaches from the then Eastern European Communist bloc. After a slump, they are once again competing regularly in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA) and Tiger Cup tournaments. Indeed, they have begun the arduous process of team-building.

Myanmar dominated the biennial SEA Games from 1965 to 1973, winning the tournament an unprecedented five times. This feat has never been repeated. Myanmar also won the Asian Games title twice in 1966 and 1970.

Myanmar has not competed in a World Cup qualifying tournament but they competed in the qualifying stages for the Asian Games. They failed to make it past the first round.

Club football is growing with over 20,000 players playing for some 600 clubs. Many of their players play in the professional leagues in the region.