ASEAN Cup 2026 summer, Vietnam team faces challenges

A seemingly small change in the competition schedule could turn the summer of 2026 into the most intense race in Southeast Asian football in years. When the Southeast Asian Football Federation announced on November 14, 2025, that the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 would take place from July 24 to August 26, 2026, right after the 2026 World Cup had just ended, the Vietnamese team immediately faced a big test in their journey to defend their title.

Summer schedule changes the rules of the ASEAN Cup 2026

Moving the tournament to the summer, instead of the end of the year cycle that often overlaps with club schedules, opens the door for teams to call up their strongest squads. When the national championships have not started, players playing abroad have the opportunity to return in good shape, improving the quality of the tournament.

• Competition period: July 24 to August 26, 2026.
• New schedule announcement: November 14, 2025.
• The event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the tournament.
• Context: takes place right after the 2026 World Cup.

The immediate impact is increased competition. Instead of patchwork squads due to scheduling conflicts, the ASEAN Cup 2026 promises to bring together optimal frameworks, where physical strength, speed and intensity are pushed to a higher level.

Indonesia benefits from naturalization strategy

In the new picture, Indonesia stands out thanks to the naturalization strategy that the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has been vigorously pursuing in recent years. When the tournament is held at the right time, the possibility of names competing in the European environment will be clearer.

Stars like Jay Idzes, Mees Hilgers, Emil Audero or Ole Romeny are trained at a high level, possessing technique, speed and thinking superior to the regional average. If Indonesia gathers all of these forces, they will immediately become a formidable opponent for any team in the region.

Big problem for Vietnam team

Vietnam entered the tournament as the defending champions of the 2024 ASEAN Cup, but the context has changed. The team is in a transitional phase; some key players are past their peak, and the younger players need more time to accumulate. Therefore, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team have no room for complacency.

The challenge is not just technical or physical, but also tactical adaptation. Against opponents with a high physical base and speed, the need for a disciplined defensive structure, the ability to transition quickly and strike sharp counter-attacks becomes more important than ever. At the same time, giving young talent the chance at the right time can create the necessary element of surprise.

Tactical framework: discipline, transitions and efficiency

• Organize a tight defensive block to control space, limiting the gaps behind.
• Switch positions decisively, using speed to punish opponents when they push forward.
• Dead balls and counter-attacks need to be optimized as strategic plus points in tense matches.

Besides expertise, the “Vietnamese spirit” is still the core value. Many achievements of Vietnamese football are built on the fighting spirit and the will to never give up. At the ASEAN Cup 2026, that spirit will once again be the launching pad when the tournament gathers the optimal lineups of the opponents.

Summer 2026: the golden test for the throne

The 2026 ASEAN Cup promises to be the most competitive edition in a decade, with teams guaranteed and a conflict-free schedule. In that context, Vietnam’s goal of defending the title becomes challenging but also meaningful.

If they can overcome the pressure and maintain their title against the strongest opponents, it will be a historic milestone, affirming their leading position in the region. Summer 2026 is therefore not just a tournament, but a test of the depth of the squad, the tactical thinking of the coaching staff and the mental endurance of the "Golden Star Warriors".