Few new faces expected

With very little preparation time - just five days before the opening match against the Philippines -  Kim Sang Sik cannot afford to take major risks with new experiments for Vietnam.

Most of the squad will consist of players who have worked with the South Korean coach over the past two years, particularly the core that helped Vietnam win the 2026 ASEAN Cup. The approach is understandable given that the players have just returned from club duty, the national team’s training camp is brief and Kim has little time to test a range of new options.

Vietnam are also not at an ideal point for a major squad overhaul. After the ASEAN Cup, Kim spoke of finding new options, but that process requires time and longer training camps. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 does not offer the South Korean coach that luxury.

Keeping most of the established core is therefore a logical choice. These players are familiar with the team’s style, understand the coach’s demands and have played together extensively. That experience could prove valuable as Vietnam target a place in the final of the tournament, which kicks off in Indonesia in late September.

Notable returns

Vietnam were without their strongest possible squad at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. The same could be true at the FIFA ASEAN Cup, with Hoang Duc and Van Vi both likely to miss the tournament through injury.

Hoang Duc’s absence would directly affect the midfield, depriving Vietnam of a player capable of retaining possession, beating the press and organizing play. Van Vi, meanwhile, has established an important role on the left flank, both defensively and in supporting the attack.

Alongside those likely absences, however, the squad could feature several notable returns. Players from Hanoi Police FC (CAHN) are expected to rejoin the national team, with Nguyen Filip and Cao Quang Vinh among the most prominent names.

Nguyen Filip’s return should, at the very least, intensify competition for the goalkeeper position, while Cao Quang Vinh also offers an intriguing option. The left-back could bring a different dimension from Vietnam’s more familiar choices. His return would become even more important if Van Vi is unavailable.

Beyond those two, Kim could also consider Adou Minh and Kyle Colonna, also known as Luong Chi Khai, two overseas Vietnamese players who recently obtained Vietnamese citizenship and could provide additional depth in defense.

There may be few genuinely new faces or sweeping personnel changes, but supporters will still be hoping to see Vietnam play differently at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 after aspects of the team’s performances at the recent ASEAN Cup appeared less than convincing.

Duy Nguyen