The Southeast Asian Football Championship, known as the ASEAN Modern Cup, will kick off on July 24, with the Vietnam national football team aiming for its first back-to-back titles. Under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam is riding a wave of momentum following its 2024 championship win and is eager to defend its title.
According to the Vietnam Football Federation and local media on July 22, Kim emphasized the need for high concentration during the first official meeting in preparation for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Vietnam has been placed in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, with its opening match against Timor-Leste on July 24.
Kim conveyed to the players that they should not underestimate their opponents, even if some teams have not registered their strongest lineups. He stressed that every team will be looking to defeat the defending champions, and the national team must maximize its capabilities.
The significance of this tournament goes beyond merely defending the title. The 2026 ASEAN Cup serves as a preparatory stage for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 21 to October 6, and is also a stepping stone toward the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Kim Sang-sik Faces Heightened Expectations
Kim Sang-sik approaches this tournament from a different position than two years ago. Facing pressure to win or risk being dismissed before the 2024 ASEAN Cup, he successfully led Vietnam to victory through tactical changes and effective game management. Vietnam secured the 2024 ASEAN Cup title with seven wins out of eight matches. Since then, the national team has also qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup with six consecutive wins in the qualifiers.
The upward trend has continued, with Vietnam adding three friendly wins to achieve a remarkable record of 16 wins and 2 losses over nearly two years. The team has climbed to 99th in the world rankings and enters the 2026 ASEAN Cup as the defending champion. The squad has also deepened, increasing the number of naturalized players from one to three, with Suan Son, Tai Lok, and Hoang Hen contributing to a recent 4-0 victory over Myanmar.
Notably, Suan Son is recovering his scoring prowess after returning from injury, while Hoang Hen is recognized for his creative passing in the V-League, and Tai Lok has added Brazilian flair and finesse to the team. The growth of younger players like Nat Min and Dinh Park from the U23 team, who have won a bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, the SEA Games 33, and the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship, has also enhanced the national team's competitiveness.
Vietnam has prepared alternative resources to address gaps in the starting lineup. Lejang Patrick is mentioned as a potential replacement for Nguyen Philip, while Ban Hau can step in for Ban Bi, and Suan Main is considered a substitute for Jui Main. However, the weight of being champions has become a burden for Vietnam. Fans are demanding not just victories but also more dominant attacking play and stable game control, while opposing teams are analyzing Vietnam more closely.
Indonesia Emerges as a Major Challenge to Back-to-Back Titles
Tran Quoc Tuan, president of the Vietnam Football Federation, views this tournament as part of a long-term plan. He stated, "The ASEAN Cup is not just a tournament but part of a long journey, with each event serving as a stepping stone and preparation for the next." He emphasized that the 2026 ASEAN Cup is a precursor to the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup, requiring continuity, systematic planning, and stability in team composition and gameplay.
The most challenging variable mentioned is Indonesia. Indonesia has bolstered its squad by naturalizing several players from Europe, including Olatmanun, Haye, Raben, Struijk, Jener, Reinders, and Walsh, and has advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
In this process, Indonesia has defeated Saudi Arabia, China, and Bahrain, and even drew with Australia. Two years ago, Vietnam struggled against Indonesia's second-string squad, making Kim's tactical acumen and game-reading skills even more crucial in this tournament. Additionally, Singapore and Thailand are also considered unpredictable opponents. Vietnam's group stage matches include an away game against Timor-Leste on July 24, a home game against Singapore on July 31, an away match against Indonesia on August 3, and a home game against Cambodia on August 7.
Moreover, a historical challenge remains. Vietnam has never achieved back-to-back titles in the ASEAN Cup's predecessor, the AFF Cup. In 2010 and 2021, they entered as defending champions but were eliminated in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN Cup has been renamed the ASEAN Hyundai Cup since last year, following Hyundai's involvement as the title partner, replacing the previous name, the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The ASEAN Cup will continue under the name ASEAN Hyundai Cup until the 2028 tournament.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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