Vietnam head coach Kim Sang Sik has largely retained the core of the side that won the ASEAN Cup, while adding two newly naturalized overseas-born players for the FIFA-organized tournament, which runs from September 24 to October 5.

Eighteen of Vietnam's 23 players featured in the squad at the ASEAN Cup 2026, including Le Giang Patrik, Thanh Chung, Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, Hai Long, Hoang Hen, Tai Loc, Dinh Bac and Xuan Son.

The five changes include Le Ngoc Bao and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, while goalkeeper Van Viet has been recalled. Newcomers Adou Minh and Williams Minh Hoang have also received call-ups.

Adou Minh and Williams Minh Hoang are both overseas-born Vietnamese players who were recently granted Vietnamese citizenship, making them eligible to play at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

Among those who featured at the ASEAN Cup but are absent from the latest squad are Van Lam, Van Hau, Van Vi, Dinh Quang Kiet and Ngoc My.

Van Vi is dealing with an injury, while Quang Kiet and Ngoc My have been assigned to Vietnam's U23 team for the 20th Asian Games.

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Williams Minh Hoang has received his first call-up to the Vietnam national team. Photo: CATPHCM FC

Vietnam will open its Group B campaign against the Philippines on September 26 before facing Thailand on September 29. Kim's side completes the group stage against Pakistan on October 2.

Thailand, meanwhile, is heading into the tournament with a considerably different and more experienced squad than the one that contested the ASEAN Cup.

Head coach Anthony Hudson selected his final 23 players from an initial pool of 55 chosen by the Football Association of Thailand, with several key players and established stars returning.

The most notable return is Chanathip Songkrasin, widely regarded as one of Thailand's leading footballers of the past decade. He joins a midfield group that also includes Peeradol Chamratsamee and Supachok Sarachat.

Supachok and young talent Teerapat Pruengtong both play for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in Japan.

Sarach Yooyen, who captained Thailand at the recent ASEAN Cup, and Seksan Ratree are also included in Hudson's squad.

Thailand's defense features several experienced players, including Kritsada Kaman, Jonathan Khemdee, Manuel Tom Bihr and Suphanan Bureerat.

They are joined by Norway-born Nicholas Mickelson, who currently plays in Germany for SV Elversberg.

In attack, Thailand has called up Supachai Jaided, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Jude Soonsup-Bell.

Soonsup-Bell developed in the academies of Chelsea and Tottenham and currently plays for Port FC.

Eric Kahl, however, remains absent from the Thailand squad as the defender continues to hope for a call-up from Sweden.

The return of several important players gives Thailand a markedly different lineup for another meeting with Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian rivals last faced each other in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final in August. Vietnam won 2-0 in Bangkok before drawing 2-2 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, securing the title 4-2 on aggregate.

At the FIFA ASEAN Cup, Thailand and Vietnam have been drawn together in Group B alongside Pakistan and the Philippines.

Thailand opens against Pakistan on September 26 before facing Vietnam at 6:30 p.m. on September 29. The Thais conclude their group campaign against the Philippines on October 2.

The tournament format adds further significance to the Vietnam-Thailand encounter. Only the Group B winner will advance to the final, while the runner-up will play in the third-place match.

That leaves the September 29 rematch potentially carrying major implications for the battle to finish top of the group.

Duy Nguyen - Ngoc Huy