The Vietnam national team officially assembles with a series of naturalized stars.

From today, the Vietnam national team officially comes together to start preparing for the 2026 AFF Cup, aiming to retain the regional title.

The Vietnam national team officially assembles today to launch its campaign to defend the Southeast Asian crown at the 2026 AFF Cup. After more than a week of rest since the 2025/26 V.League concluded, the players will reconvene under head coach Kim Sang-sik, determined to pursue the highest goal in the regional tournament.

According to the plan, 28 called-up players will report to the team’s headquarters on June 22 . This is considered one of the most important training camps of the year as the 2026 AFF Cup approaches. The coaching staff hopes the players maintain good physical condition and form after a long season, allowing them to quickly adapt to the professional training regimen.

In the initial phase, the Vietnam national team will train in Hanoi for about 10 days. This period allows coach Kim Sang-sik to review the squad, refine the tactical system, and assess the integration of new faces. Besides maintaining a core of experienced players, the South Korean tactician is expected to identify additional quality personnel options to enhance the team's competitiveness.

After domestic training, the Vietnam national team will travel to South Korea for a training camp from July 2 to 14. This overseas trip is seen as a crucial preparatory step ahead of the tournament. During this time, the team will have the opportunity to play friendly matches against three opponents carefully selected by the Vietnam Football Federation and the coaching staff, helping players gain more international match experience.

The friendly matches in South Korea will not only improve the players' match sharpness but also provide a chance for the coaching staff to test tactical options. Playing against opponents with different playing styles will help the team enhance adaptability and create a positive competitive environment among players vying for a spot in the AFF Cup squad.

Before embarking on the campaign to defend the Southeast Asian championship, the Vietnam national team will have an international friendly against Myanmar at Thai Nguyen Stadium on July 18 . This will be the final rehearsal for coach Kim Sang-sik to finalize the optimal lineup. With thorough early preparations and a relatively long training period, the Vietnam national team shows great determination in its quest for the 2026 AFF Cup and aims to continue asserting its leading status in the region.