Two Vietnam national team players are aiming for the greatest milestone of their careers.

Quang Hải and Duy Mạnh are on the brink of history, potentially becoming the first Vietnamese footballers to claim three Southeast Asian titles.

The 2026 ASEAN Cup is not only about defending the title for the Vietnam national team, but also could mark a special milestone in the careers of key players Đỗ Duy Mạnh and Nguyễn Quang Hải. If they win the title again with the team, both would become the first Vietnamese players to win three Southeast Asian championships, setting an unprecedented record in history.

In the current training camp under coach Kim Sang Sik, Duy Mạnh and Quang Hải are among the few who contributed to both the 2018 AFF Cup and 2024 ASEAN Cup victories. Their vast experience and competitive spirit are expected to play a key role in this year's regional tournament campaign.

If Vietnam successfully defends the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Duy Mạnh and Quang Hải will officially become the first players in Vietnamese football history to own three Southeast Asian titles. This is an achievement that many legendary players of previous generations could not reach, highlighting the endurance and class of these two stars who emerged from the U23 Vietnam side that once created a sensation in Asia.

Furthermore, the 2026 ASEAN Cup could mark another memorable milestone for this duo. If they are included in the official squad, Duy Mạnh and Quang Hải will reach five ASEAN Cup appearances, matching the records of prominent Vietnamese football figures such as Lê Huỳnh Đức, Nguyễn Minh Phương, Nguyễn Văn Quyết, and Quế Ngọc Hải.

Currently, the record for most tournament appearances is held by legend Lê Công Vinh with six consecutive ASEAN Cups from 2004 to 2016. Although they cannot surpass this milestone this year, reaching five appearances is enough to cement Duy Mạnh and Quang Hải's status among the most experienced players in Vietnam national team history.

With a squad assessed to have depth and the status of defending champions, the Vietnam national team remains one of the strongest contenders for the 2026 ASEAN Cup title. Given that many rivals such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have not yet fielded their strongest squads, the opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik's team to defend the title is very clear. If they achieve that goal, Duy Mạnh and Quang Hải will not only add another trophy to their collection but also officially enter Vietnamese football history as the first players to win three Southeast Asian championships.