Hot football news at noon on June 5: Vietnam national team confirms opponents for the 2027 Asian Cup

Vietnam's senior squad has now confirmed who they will face in the 2027 Asian Cup following Yemen's qualification, the U19 side is gearing up for a decisive battle against Indonesia to prove their title credentials, FIFA is introducing a new pre-match ceremony at the 2026 World Cup, and Florentino Perez teases a blockbuster €150 million transfer move.

Vietnam national team's opponents for the 2027 Asian Cup confirmed

Yemen has officially booked their place in the 2027 Asian Cup finals after a 2-0 win over Lebanon in the final qualifying round. Striker Nasser Al Gahwashi emerged as the hero with a brace, helping "Al-Yemen A'sa'eed" finish the qualifying campaign with 14 points and top spot in Group B.

Notably, this result also allowed Vietnam to know all their opponents in Group E of the 2027 Asian Cup. Coach Kim Sang-sik's side will face South Korea, the UAE, and Yemen in their quest to advance. Although considered weaker than the two Asian giants, Yemen has just shown impressive resilience by overcoming Lebanon in a do-or-die match, promising to be an unpredictable factor at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia U19 is the real test for Vietnam U19

Vietnam U19 is making waves at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship with two consecutive wins against Timor-Leste (3-0) and Myanmar (5-0), scoring eight goals and conceding none. Their cohesive play, varied attack, and solid defense have led many regional fans to view Coach Ikeuchi's squad as title contenders.

However, the true challenge for Vietnam U19 begins in the "early final" against hosts Indonesia U19. The Indonesian side, also undefeated and enjoying home advantage, promises to be the biggest test for the young Vietnamese players' ambitions. If they overcome Indonesia, Vietnam U19 can realistically dream of the regional championship.

VPF's surprising decision ahead of the final V-League 2025/26 round

VPF's decision before the last round of V-League 2025/26 is drawing attention as FIFA referee from Malaysia, Tuan Mohd Yaasin, has been assigned to officiate the match between The Cong-Viettel and CAHN. Notably, CAHN has already won the title, while The Cong only needs one more point to secure second place, yet the decisive matches in the relegation battle have no foreign referees assigned yet.

Mr. Tuan Mohd Yaasin is a familiar face in Vietnamese football and belongs to FIFA's Elite referee group in Malaysia. However, VPF's decision to prioritize a match with little competitive significance over the生死 battles at the bottom of the table has sparked mixed reactions among fans ahead of kickoff.

FIFA changes pre-match protocol for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup promises an unprecedented sight as FIFA has decided that all registered players, including substitutes, will stand around the center circle during the national anthem. This change replaces the tradition where only the starting lineup appears, immediately generating widespread debate.

Furthermore, FIFA is adding a series of performance details such as separate entrance gates, giant national flags, and stage effects to boost the tournament's appeal. President Gianni Infantino stated this will be a moment to showcase unity and pride for every team member, turning the pre-match ceremony into one of the most anticipated highlights of the 2026 World Cup.

Perez hints at a €150 million blockbuster

President Florentino Perez has stirred excitement among Real Madrid fans by revealing the club will submit a transfer offer worth around €150 million for a star currently playing in the Champions League. Notably, he confirmed that the target is not Erling Haaland, and dismissed any rumors linking the Norwegian striker.

According to Perez, this would be the most expensive deal in Real Madrid's history, capable of causing a "shockwave" in the transfer market. Although he refused to reveal the name, the head of the Royal club confirmed the player operates from midfield forward and does not belong to a Premier League club, leaving fans even more curious about the "mystery blockbuster" Los Blancos are preparing to ignite.

Dinh Bac compared to Harry Kane by FIFA; Vietnam U19 impresses Southeast Asia

Vietnamese football continues to receive positive signals as Nguyen Dinh Bac has been assessed by FIFA expert Richard Allen as having the potential to reach Harry Kane's level in the future. Meanwhile, Vietnam U19 caused a sensation with two devastating wins, earning a flood of praise from Southeast Asian fans ahead of their big clash with Indonesia.

Additionally, FIFA is set to honor Messi with a special badge at the 2026 World Cup, Manchester United have finalized Bruno Fernandes' future, and Arsenal have surprisingly joined the race to sign Rafael Leao.