Several title contenders

The 2026/27 V-League officially kicks off on September 4 with an early fixture between newly promoted Dong Nai and The Cong Viettel. More attractive clashes will follow, including CA Ho Chi Minh City against Hanoi FC and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh against HAGL.

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CAHN are among the leading contenders for the 2026/27 V-League title. Photo: S.N

This season, the clubs have prepared carefully and set their sights high. The title race is once again the main focus, with familiar contenders including CAHN, The Cong Viettel, Hanoi FC and Ninh Binh.

CAHN are highly rated for the depth of their squad and the quality of both their foreign and domestic players. In particular, they boast a strong contingent of Vietnam internationals, including Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Van Hau, Thanh Long, Quang Hai and Dinh Bac.

A 2-0 away victory over Adelaide United in the Champions League playoff, followed most recently by success in the National Super Cup, underlined why the police club remain the leading candidate for the V-League title.

As in previous seasons, two of CAHN’s most formidable rivals in the title race are their fellow Hanoi clubs, The Cong Viettel and Hanoi FC.

The Cong Viettel enter the 2026/27 season after investing heavily in their squad. The military club have signed 11 new players, including four domestic players, six foreign players and one overseas Vietnamese player.

Among the notable additions are Doan Ngoc Tan, Trieu Viet Hung, Pham Trung Hieu, Lucas Alves, Ribamar, Rimario, Andree Luiz and Hernandez Rodrigues.

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Hanoi FC and The Cong Viettel are both determined to challenge for the title. Photo: S.N

It is considered one of The Cong Viettel’s biggest recruitment drives in recent years, reflecting their ambitions to challenge for the V-League title, reach the National Cup final and finish in the top eight of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two.

Hanoi FC, meanwhile, continue to place their faith in familiar names such as Van Quyet, Hung Dung, Thanh Chung, Hai Long, Pham Xuan Manh and Do Hoang Hen.

Head coach Harry Kewell is also giving opportunities to young talents such as Nguyen Anh Tiep and Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc, a Vietnam U17 international who helped the team qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The capital club have also added several notable players, including midfielder Bui Ngoc Long, Vietnamese-origin striker Aymeric Faurand-Tournaire and foreign signing Andrew Jung, while midfielder Pham Duc Huy has returned to the club.

Hanoi FC begin their 2026/27 V-League campaign away to CA Ho Chi Minh City on September 5. It will be a challenge, but also an opportunity for Van Quyet and his teammates to demonstrate both their quality and ambition.

Thep Xanh Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh, meanwhile, are also firmly in the title race. In addition to players such as Xuan Son, Van Vi and Tuan Anh, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh have continued to strengthen their squad with a number of new signings.

At Ninh Binh, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has a formidable group at his disposal, including Dang Van Lam, Duc Chien, Thanh Chung, Ho Tan Tai, Hoang Duc, Tien Anh, Tai Loc and Lucao, all ready for the V-League title challenge.

Could foreign players decide the title race?

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V-League clubs are allowed to field four foreign players at the same time.

One of the most notable changes for the 2026/27 season is the adjustment to regulations governing foreign players.

Under the new rules, each V-League club may register a maximum of four foreign players and field all four simultaneously in a match, one more than last season.

For Vietnam’s representatives competing in Southeast Asian and Asian club competitions - CAHN, CA Ho Chi Minh City and The Cong Viettel - the registration limit has been raised to a maximum of seven foreign players to accommodate their international schedules. However, no more than four foreign players may be on the pitch at the same time.

The main reason for increasing the foreign-player quota is the growing need for the V-League to compete on more equal terms in Asian football.

However, for the change to deliver sustainable benefits, VPF and VFF will need accompanying regulations to ensure clubs continue to maintain high-quality youth development systems while keeping their finances under control.

Dai Nam