Vietnam and the ‘FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026’: Two training sessions, three opponents, and one strange name

Imagine preparing for a crucial exam with only two revision sessions before the test. That is exactly what awaits Vietnam national team ahead of the competition tentatively named ‘FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026’. The team gathers on September 21, departs for Indonesia on September 23, and opens against the Philippines on September 26. How much time does coach Kim Sang Sik have to instill his tactics? Two training sessions. Just two on-pitch sessions before a competitive match. Right from the start, I must question the competition's name itself. ‘FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026’ is not an official name on any FIFA, AFC or AFF calendar. Perhaps it is a rebranding, an expanded regional tournament, or even a youth competition – but the original article contradicts itself: it simultaneously describes it as upcoming and says Vietnam ‘recently defended the title’. This forces me to examine every subsequent detail with caution. In football, the name is not just a label; it is a commitment to format, opponents, and prestige. Putting the naming issue aside, the reality on the pitch matters most. Vietnam is in Group B alongside the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan. Pakistan's inclusion – a South Asian team – is unusual. It suggests the tournament might be an expanded event with guest slots or wildcards, rather than a pure ASEAN competition. If so, the competitive intensity will differ greatly from a traditional AFF Cup. But let us return to the professional issue: preparation. Only two training sessions means it is impossible to implement any new tactical system. Instead, coach Kim Sang Sik is betting on continuity. The squad largely features the players who recently won the previous title. This is a calculated choice: the latent tactical memory within the group can compensate for the lack of training time. But it also carries a risk – stagnation, as opponents have already studied the champions' style of play. The midfield is the most fragile area. Bui Hoang Viet Anh is injured, and Nguyen Hoang Duc's return is still uncertain. If Hoang Duc is not fit in time, Vietnam loses the central link between defense and attack. In a tournament where matches are only a few days apart, this shortage will force the team to play long balls or rely on set pieces – a step back from their usual possession philosophy. The match against Thailand, just three days after the Philippines game, is the focal point. This is not just a Southeast Asian derby; it is a rematch that both Vietnamese and Thai media have hyped. The pressure is asymmetric: Vietnam enters as defending champions, Thailand as the challenger seeking correction. With only two training sessions, Kim will find it difficult to rotate the squad effectively if the Philippines game drains too much energy. This is where the ‘calculated madness’ I often talk about could come into play: will he dare rest some key players against the Philippines to save energy for Thailand? Or will he play safe and risk exhaustion? In market and professional terms, the fact that the squad announcement must wait until after the second round of the 2026/27 LPBank V-League reveals the power balance between clubs and the national team. The domestic league schedule is the real boss; the national team must adapt. This is not unusual in Vietnam, but it raises questions of priority: when will clubs be willing to release players earlier so the team can have a proper training camp? The official goal is to top Group B and reach the final. Given the team's strength, it is achievable, but not easy. Pakistan is an unknown, the Philippines have improved, and Thailand is the direct rival. Two training sessions may be enough for Vietnam to get through the group stage, but will it be enough to beat Thailand in a tense match? I doubt it. When everyone looks at talent, I look at the price the market is willing to pay. But here, the undervalued asset is not player value, but the value of time. Two training sessions are a tactical debt. Does Vietnam have enough internal strength to pay that debt? The answer will come on the Indonesian pitch, where every number must be rewritten in sweat.