Vietnam national team gathers for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Challenges from Thailand and pressure to defend title

On September 21, 2026, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially announced the 23-player squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, a regional tournament held under the FIFA international window. The team, led by head coach Kim Sang Sik, will gather in Hanoi before departing for Indonesia on September 23 to compete in Group B against the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan. Vietnam enters the tournament as defending champions, having successfully retained the title in the previous edition. However, the challenge is significant due to key injuries and an extremely short preparation window. The tournament context and signals from VFF According to VFF, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is a new tournament backed by FIFA, aimed at elevating Southeast Asian teams within the official competition system. Vietnam is placed in Group B alongside the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan. The opening match is against the Philippines on September 26, followed by the most anticipated clash with Thailand on September 29, and the group stage concludes against Pakistan on October 2. The knockout format includes semi-finals and a final, with extra time and penalties if tied after 120 minutes. One of the most pressing issues is the training time. Players will have only two formal training sessions before the opener, as the second round of the 2026/27 LPBank V-League ends just before the call-up. Coach Kim Sang Sik acknowledged: 'We will have to maximize the short time to review tactics, and I trust the discipline of the core players.' However, experts believe physical condition and team cohesion are the biggest risks. Squad: Losses and returns The squad list is largely based on the core that won the previous title, but there are two notable points. Nguyễn Văn Vi, a crucial central midfielder, is injured and unavailable. This absence forces Coach Kim to rethink the midfield, which was a tactical stronghold. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, the brightest star, is still recovering and his availability remains uncertain. If Hoàng Đức is fit, he will act as the playmaker; if not, the midfield will rely on Văn Quyết or Tuấn Anh—players who have been out of the national setup for a while. Additionally, Coach Kim has called up some young talents from the U23 squad to increase competition and prepare for the future. However, giving chances to rookies under high-performance pressure is a double-edged sword. Tactical analysis: Backbone and weaknesses With only two training sessions, Coach Kim will likely use the familiar 3-4-3 formation, with Duy Mạnh, Ngọc Hải, and Tiến Dũng as the three center-backs. The wide flanks will be handled by Văn Hậu and Xuân Mạnh. Upfront, Tiến Linh is the target man, with Quang Hải and Văn Toàn supporting from behind. However, the problem lies in midfield. If Hoàng Đức does not start, the central midfield pair is likely Đỗ Hùng Dũng and Nguyễn Tuấn Anh. Both are experienced but lack speed and high-intensity ball-winning ability, especially against Thailand—a team with a dynamic and technical midfield. Ball control will become difficult, and Vietnam may have to play transition football instead of possession. Vietnam's strength is a defense that has played cohesively across many tournaments. Data from VuaBong.vn shows that in the most recent edition, Vietnam conceded only 3 goals in 7 matches. However, with the matches held at a neutral venue in Indonesia without fans, the home advantage is nullified, which can affect teams like Vietnam and Thailand. Focus: The big match against Thailand The match against Thailand on September 29 is seen as the early final of Group B. In head-to-head history, Vietnam holds an advantage thanks to a victory in the previous tournament's final. However, Thailand has better preparation, having gathered one week earlier. Thailand's coach Masatada Ishii has announced he will use high pressing to exploit Vietnam's lack of cohesion. From a data perspective, Thailand currently has the strongest attack in Southeast Asia, with the return of Chanathip Songkrasin and Supachai Jaided. The pressure on Vietnam's defense is huge. If Vietnam loses to Thailand, the qualification ticket will be fiercely contested in the remaining two matches. Objectives and expectations The official goal of VFF is to top Group B and reach the final. As the defending champion, this is the minimum target. However, the physical and tactical foundations affected by the short training camp could make things difficult in the knockout stage. Coach Kim Sang Sik is well aware of this. He said: 'We have no reason to blame the schedule. My team has proven its resilience in the most difficult moments.' History shows that Vietnamese teams under Park Hang Seo have overcome similar conditions. Conclusion The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is not only a trophy race but also a test of Coach Kim's philosophy. With an experienced squad but limited preparation time, Vietnam will have to rely on existing cohesion and fighting spirit. The clash with Thailand on September 29 will be the most accurate measure of their ambition to defend the throne. Will two training sessions be enough for Kim Sang Sik and his team to overcome the challenge? The answer will come after the group stage matches.