Hot football news at noon on June 27: Xuan Son receives a special honor

Vietnam's national team revealed its new captaincy setup for the 2026 ASEAN Championship, naming Quang Hai skipper, Hoang Duc and Xuan Son deputies. Meanwhile, Dembele stole the show with a hat-trick at the 2026 World Cup, and the European transfer market is heating up with big moves involving Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and AC Milan.

Xuan Son makes his debut in the Vietnam national team's leadership board

The Vietnam national team has finalized its leadership squad during the training camp preparing for the 2026 ASEAN Championship. According to the coaching staff's decision, Nguyen Quang Hai has been given the captain's armband, replacing Do Duy Manh, who is recovering from injury. The two vice-captains are Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Xuan Son, notably It is Xuan Son's first time being part of the national team's leadership group.

Quang Hai's appointment as captain is considered well-deserved after a successful season with Hanoi Police FC and his long-term contributions to the Vietnam national team. The coaching staff expects the trio of Quang Hai, Hoang Duc, and Xuan Son to become leaders who help the team build a united group and aim to defend the ASEAN Championship 2026 title.

Quang Hai and Duy Manh are on the verge of a historic achievement

The 2026 ASEAN Championship is not only an opportunity for Vietnam to defend its crown but also could mark a special milestone for Do Duy Manh and Nguyen Quang Hai. If they win the title again with the team, this duo would become the first Vietnamese players to win three Southeast Asian titles, after their titles in 2018 and 2024. Currently, both are also set to participate in the tournament for the fifth time, just one short of the record of six consecutive appearances by legend Le Cong Vinh.

With vast experience and key roles under coach Kim Sang Sik, Quang Hai and Duy Manh are expected to continue leading Vietnam towards a new historic milestone at the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

Dembele nets a hat-trick yet remains 'unsatisfied'

Ousmane Dembele became the center of attention in France's 4-1 victory over Norway in the final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup, scoring all three goals within the first 32 minutes. However, the 29-year-old striker surprised by stating that this was not his best performance in the tournament.

Dembele shared that he was actually more satisfied with the 3-1 win over Senegal, where he was more involved in the play despite not scoring. Against Norway, the PSG star needed only three shots to complete the fastest World Cup hat-trick since 1956. The impressive performance helped France win all group matches and prepare to face Sweden in the round of 32.

Cape Verde stirs up worldwide media frenzy at the 2026 World Cup

As the group stage of the 2026 World Cup draws to a close, the international media spotlight is not on title contenders like Argentina, Brazil, or Spain, but on Cape Verde, making its first appearance and instantly becoming a phenomenon. After securing a spot in the knockout stage with an unbeaten record, numerous major newspapers such as Reuters, The Guardian, ESPN, BBC, and the Financial Times have given special attention to the African representative.

According to Reuters, Cape Verde has written a historic chapter by advancing past the group stage in its first World Cup, proving that smaller teams can compete fairly with the giants. The Guardian emphasized the spiritual significance as the team's journey became a source of pride for the global Cape Verdean community. ESPN called them "a team that everyone wants to support", while the BBC and Times of India noted the strong appeal spreading beyond the pitch. From an unknown name, Cape Verde has become a symbol of belief and aspiration at the 2026 World Cup.

European transfer window intensifies

The European transfer market continues to be active with numerous squad upgrade plans from the big clubs. Chelsea is reportedly considering signing Fabian Ruiz from PSG in case Enzo Fernandez leaves Stamford Bridge. The experienced Spanish midfielder, who played 20 Ligue 1 matches last season, is seen as a potential replacement in midfield.

Meanwhile, Arsenal has not given up on Bruno Guimaraes. After having a £55 million bid rejected by Newcastle, the Gunners are reportedly preparing a new move to persuade the Northeast England club.

Tottenham Hotspur is also not sitting idle, as they plan to bolster their attack with two notable targets: Cody Gakpo and Omar Marmoush, aiming to improve their offensive strength for the new season.

In another development, AC Milan is nearing the signing of Goncalo Ramos. The Portuguese striker is considered a blockbuster deal and could become the first new arrival under coach Ruben Amorim at San Siro.