Vietnam assembled on September 22 to begin preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Before the team’s training session that afternoon, head coach Kim Sang Sik was informed that Quang Hai had asked to withdraw from the squad.

The 29-year-old, who wears the No. 19 shirt, has an ankle injury and is not expected to recover in time for the tournament. His club, Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN), requested that he remain with the team for treatment and medical monitoring.

Reports have also emerged about the possibility of Quang Hai retiring from international football. However, neither the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), CAHN nor the Hanoi-born midfielder has made an official statement on the matter.

At 29, Quang Hai could still have several years to contribute to the Vietnamese national team.

His absence from the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is a significant loss for Vietnam. At the ASEAN Cup 2026, CAHN midfielder Quang Hai was handed the captain’s armband by Kim Sang Sik.

Although he struggled for form in several matches, he delivered when it mattered in the first leg of the final against Thailand, scoring the goal that sealed Vietnam’s 2-0 victory.

Quang Hai’s withdrawal has prompted a last-minute change to Vietnam’s squad. Kim has called up Vo Hoang Minh Khoa of Becamex TPHCM as his replacement.

After assembling in Hanoi, Vietnam are scheduled to travel to Indonesia on the morning of September 23.

They will open their FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign against the Philippines on September 26, before facing Thailand on September 29 and Pakistan on October 2.

Dai Nam