On the afternoon of September 19, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially announced the 23-man squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, a regional tournament scheduled from September 26 to October 10. Vietnam is placed in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. As the defending champion, the coaching staff has set the goal of reaching the final and retaining the title.

Preparation context: Time pressure According to the plan, players will assemble on September 21, just two days after the second round of the LPBank V-League 2026/27 concludes. On September 23, the team departs for Indonesia to begin the campaign. The opening match against the Philippines takes place on September 26, meaning coach Kim Sang Sik's men have only two official training sessions before the first game. This poses a major challenge in terms of fitness and tactics, as the time to build the squad is almost zero.

Tactical analysis: Continuity of the core A notable point in this squad list is the inclusion of most players who recently won the championship. The coaching staff has opted for a "keep the core" approach rather than taking risks with new faces in an official tournament. This shows trust in the collective "tactical memory" – a key factor to compensate for the short training window. However, the midfield is the most concerning area. The absence of midfielder Van Vi due to injury, along with Nguyen Hoang Duc's uncertain recovery, removes the crucial link between defense and attack. If Hoang Duc is not fit to return, the team will have to rely more on long balls and set pieces rather than midfield control.

Contrarian perspective: A test for the bench Many believe that having only two sessions is a major disadvantage, but in reality, this is an opportunity to test squad depth and the players' ability to adapt quickly. With a tight schedule – facing Thailand just three days after the opener – rotation is mandatory. Players who usually sit on the bench will have to show their mettle when given the chance. If they perform well, this could be a turning point for long-term squad development.

Internal signals and expectations The match against Thailand on September 29 is considered the "focus match" of Group B, decisive for the top spot. With a psychological edge after winning the title, Vietnam can ride that momentum to gain an advantage. However, fitness is the biggest unknown. If the team advances past the group stage, they will have more time to adjust before the knockout rounds. The question remains: will this "sprint" preparation be enough to bring Vietnam glory, or will the schedule pressure become an insurmountable barrier? Only the pitch will tell.

Overall assessment The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is the first tournament of a new cycle, marking a shift in Southeast Asian football with the inclusion of Pakistan, a South Asian team. Vietnam's decision to retain its champion core shows stability, but also highlights the need for squad renewal. Nevertheless, with an experienced coach and a united squad, fans can confidently expect a successful campaign.

Article based on in-depth analysis from VuaBong.vn data sources.