Vietnam National Team Call-Up List: 2 Overseas Vietnamese Stars Absent

The omission of Nguyen Filip and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh from the Vietnam national team roster for the 2026 ASEAN Championship has sparked major astonishment, given that both players recently delivered stellar performances with Cong An Ha Noi, prompting widespread curiosity about Coach Kim Sang-sik's choice.

The 28-player squad summoned by Coach Kim Sang-sikfor the 2026 ASEAN Championship quickly became a hot topic in Vietnamese football. However, the most surprising element was not the included names, but the absence of two stars who recently two explosive Cong An Ha Noi stars: Nguyen Filip and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh.

After a brilliant season with the V-League champions, the overseas Vietnamese duo were considered top candidates for the starting lineup of the Vietnam National Team. Filip continued to demonstrate his class as one of the league's best goalkeepers, while Quang Vinh stood out on the left flank and earned a spot in the season's best XI.

Therefore, their simultaneous exclusion from this training camp has raised numerous questions. Some opinions even suggest that Coach Kim Sang-sik is making major personnel changes ahead of the ASEAN Championship title defense campaign.

However, the reality is entirely different. The decision not to call up Nguyen Filip and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh was not based on professional factors. Instead, it resulted from discussions between the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the national team coaching staff, and CAHN to serve more important objectives at the continental level.

Specifically, the 2026 ASEAN Championship schedule coincides with CAHN's preparation for their AFC Champions League Elite play-off match against Adelaide United (Australia). This is considered a crucial game for the reigning V-League champions as they have an opportunity to make a mark on Asia's most prestigious club competition.

In this context, CAHN wished to retain their key pillars for optimal preparation for this historic match. Following discussions and agreements between Coaches Kim Sang-sik and Mano Polking, a plan to balance the interests of the national team and the club was reached.

Notably, Quang Vinh seemed very comfortable with this decision. Sharing at the 2025/26 V-League Awards Gala, the 1997-born defender stated he fully respects the agreement between CAHN and the VFF, while wishing the Vietnam National Team success in defending their ASEAN Championship title successfully.

Despite the absence of some notable faces, the Vietnam National Team still possesses a squad with depth, blending experienced veterans, promising young talents, and naturalized and overseas Vietnamese players in top form.

With Coach Kim Sang-sik's personnel strategy, the primary goal remains to provide the best possible preparation for the Vietnam National Team's ASEAN Championship title defense in 2026. Meanwhile, Nguyen Filip and Quang Vinh will carry the fans' hopes as they pursue new challenges with CAHN in the AFC Champions League Elite.