Group A AFF Cup 2026: Vietnam National Team Needs the Resilience of the Reigning Champions

AFF Cup 2026 marks a new journey for the Vietnam National Team, where stability, squad depth, and match-by-match strategies will be crucial right from the group stage.

Entering AFF Cup 2026 as the defending champions, Vietnam is seeded in the top pot. The draw placed Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team in Group A alongside Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and the winner of the Brunei vs Timor-Leste play-off. On paper, this group is not overly challenging, but it still demands Xuân Son and his teammates maintain high levels of concentration.

Compared to AFF Cup 2024, Vietnam only meets Indonesia again in the group stage. Indonesia remains the toughest opponent in Group A, known for their aggressive starts and frequently posing significant challenges to Vietnam in recent encounters.

Indonesia is expected to be stronger than two years ago, as the tournament takes place in July when European clubs are not yet in full swing. This opens the possibility for PSSI to recall several naturalized players currently active in Europe. Under new head coach John Herdman, Indonesia promises to continue pursuing a physically intense and disciplined style of play.

Singapore is also a team not to be underestimated. The island nation recently made a strong impression by qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup, showing clear progress in team organization. At AFF Cup 2024, Singapore troubled Vietnam significantly in the semifinals, making them a potential threat if underestimated.

Cambodia and the winner of the Brunei vs Timor-Leste play-off are rated lower but are no longer easy points. Cambodia has improved significantly thanks to naturalization policies and guidance from Japanese coaches, while weaker teams often play with nothing to lose.

Combining the U23 players who matured through the 2026 U23 Asian Championship and experienced naturalized overseas Vietnamese players, the Vietnam team is expected to have a balanced squad at AFF Cup 2026. If this talent pool is well utilized, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team has every reason to aim to defend their championship title, while also building momentum for major upcoming campaigns.