Vietnam's 'Most Suffering Football Team' anxiously awaits FIFA's verdict.

Thanh Hoa Club still anxiously awaits FIFA to lift the transfer ban before the deadline of March 17; otherwise, they will continue to compete with a depleted squad in the decisive phase of the V-League 2025/2026.

With only a few days left before the mid-season transfer window of the V-League 2025/2026 closes on March 17, Thanh Hoa Club remains in a state of "holding its breath," awaiting FIFA's final decision regarding the player registration ban. Despite making certain progress in resolving financial disputes, the Thanh region club has not yet completed procedures to reinforce its squad for the crucial phase of the season.

About two weeks ago, on its official fanpage, Thanh Hoa Club announced a list of four new recruits set to join the team for Phase II of the V-League 2025/2026. Among them, notable is Amar Catic – a player holding dual citizenship of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands, who previously played for the Bosnia-Herzegovina U21 team and was valued at approximately 250,000 euros in October 2025. The remaining three domestic players include Le Van Hung, Nguyen Huu Dung, and Le Van Hoan, expected to help the team improve squad depth.

However, the aforementioned new recruits are still unable to play because Thanh Hoa Club remains under FIFA's ban on registering new players. The cause stems from financial disputes with some former foreign players of the club. Although the club's leadership has completed payment of about 3 billion VND as requested by FIFA to settle certain cases, the related procedures have not been fully resolved.

On FIFA's data system, Thanh Hoa has had two bans on registering new players lifted after fulfilling financial obligations with two outstanding wage cases. Nevertheless, the club still has two other complaints pending. One ban is effective from January 14, 2026, while the other began on December 12, 2025 and lasts for three consecutive transfer periods, forming a barrier preventing the club from registering additional players.

In the context of an already thin and struggling squad, Thanh Hoa's difficulties have become more evident in recent matches. Coach Mai Xuan Hop at times only had about 15–16 players fit to play, even having to use goalkeeper Y Eli Nie as a forward to meet the required number. In recent matches, the Thanh region team often only had 5–6 substitute players on the bench.

The club's leadership has requested the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to assist in submitting documents to FIFA to expedite the removal of the remaining penalties. However, as of now, the final decision has not been issued. If not finalized before the registration deadline of March 17, Thanh Hoa is likely to enter the remainder of the season with a squad of only about 19 players, including three goalkeepers, and continue fighting with the familiar resilient spirit of the Thanh region club.