Hot football news noon 26/6: CAHN aims for Asia

Vietnam's national team completes preparations for the Myanmar match, CAHN eyes continental competition, as South Korea, Germany, and the newest Premier League transfer updates take center stage in world football.

Thai Nguyen ready to welcome Vietnam national team

The Vietnam national team will play its first international match at Thai Nguyen Stadium when they face Myanmar on July 18 in an important friendly ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Championship. To prepare for the event, the Thai Nguyen Provincial People's Committee has coordinated with the VFF to implement an organization plan, focusing on aspects such as security, healthcare, transportation, media, ticket sales, and training and accommodation conditions for both teams.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team and Myanmar will arrive in Thai Nguyen on July 15 or 16 to familiarize themselves with the pitch. This is also an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik to review his squad, test formations, and refine playing style before defending the ASEAN Championship title in 2026.

CAHN aims for the Asian stage

Winning the V-League 2025/26 is just the starting point for CAHN as the police-sponsored club prepares to enter the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite play-offs. Their first challenge will be against Adelaide United, a physically strong and disciplined Australian representative.

With a squad including many national team players such as Quang Hai, Nguyen Filip, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, and Vu Van Thanh, CAHN aims to make a mark on the continental stage. However, to compete with top Asian clubs, the team needs to strengthen squad depth and add quality foreign players. The journey in the AFC Champions League Elite is seen as a measure of CAHN's ambition and the rise of Vietnamese football.

Coach Hong Myeong-bo reveals why South Korea must wait for a "lifeline ticket"

The South Korean national team faces the risk of elimination from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup after a 0-1 loss to South Africa, leaving them with only hope to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Coach Hong Myeong-bo takes full responsibility for the disappointing result and believes that the weather conditions in Guadalupe were one of the reasons the team underperformed. The 56-year-old manager also regretted the loss to Mexico, stating that just one more point would have put South Korea in a more favorable position.

Additionally, he defended Son Heung-min against criticism and denied rumors of internal discord, emphasizing that the team remains united while awaiting results from the remaining groups.

German national team criticized by media

Although they have secured a spot in the 32-team 2026 World Cup, the German national team still faces a wave of fierce criticism after a 1-2 loss to Ecuador in the final group stage match. Major newspapers such as Bild, Frankfurter Allgemeine or Süddeutsche Zeitung all expressed disappointment with the unconvincing performance of Julian Nagelsmann's team, warning that the team could be eliminated early if they do not improve their form.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer became the focus after a mistake led to a goal conceded, while international media also questioned the "Die Mannschaft's" ability to compete for the title. Ecuador's historic victory over Germany secured their advancement and created one of the biggest surprises of the group stage.

Premier League transfer market heats up

The Premier League transfer market continues to intensify with a series of notable deals. Manchester City is reportedly close to signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for a fee that could reach £130 million, promising to set a new English football transfer record.

Meanwhile, Manchester United has contacted the representatives of Julian Alvarez, although the Argentine striker is said to prioritize a move to Barcelona. Liverpool is also preparing a backup plan by monitoring Yankuba Minteh if they fail to sign Yan Diomande. On the other hand, Newcastle faces the risk of losing key players Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, with interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal respectively.