CAHN retains key player Stefan Mauk, Thanh Hoa banned from transfers by FIFA for 3 transfer windows.
Hanoi Police finalized a contract extension with Stefan Mauk until 2028, while Thanh Hoa received a heavy penalty from FIFA. The Vietnam U17 team also became the focus of attention following the World Cup draw results.
Vietnamese football experienced a tumultuous 24 hours with contrasting extremes. While reigning V.League champions Hanoi Police (CAHN) made strategic moves to maintain their strength, Thanh Hoa was embroiled in a legal crisis with the International Football Federation (FIFA).
Hanoi police and a long-term contract with Stefan Mauk.
Stefan Mauk has officially committed his future to Hanoi Police FC with a contract valid until 2028. This is seen as an important move to strengthen the team after successfully defending their V.League title, aiming for higher goals in continental competitions.
Since joining Vietnamese football, the Australian midfielder has quickly become an indispensable link in the team's tactical scheme. Mauk's consistency, modern playing style, and extensive experience are the reasons why the CAHN management decided to offer him a rare long-term contract for a foreign player in the V.League.
Financial crisis: Thanh Hoa punished by FIFA.
In contrast to CAHN's stability, Thanh Hoa has just received a heavy blow from FIFA. The team is banned from registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows due to violations of financial obligations related to player salaries and signing bonuses.
More worryingly, this is the fifth time since the beginning of 2026 that the team has been involved in international lawsuits. The prolonged financial crisis is directly threatening Thanh Hoa's competitiveness in the coming seasons, as they are unable to recruit players to fill the gaps in their squad.
Vietnam U17: The pride of Southeast Asia at the World Cup
Besides club-level news, the journey of the Vietnam U17 team at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 finals has also attracted significant attention from international media. Placed in Group G alongside Mali, Belgium, and New Zealand, coach Cristiano Roland's team is receiving special respect.
Mali Actu journalist Oumar Sangare warned the home team not to underestimate the Southeast Asian representatives. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Bola expressed admiration for Vietnam being the only country in the region to qualify for this prestigious tournament. Coach Cristiano Roland affirmed that the team's goal is to go as far as possible and maintain a resilient spirit in every match.
Cong Phuong shines and the Vietnamese national team's plans.
In the First Division, Nguyen Cong Phuong continued his impressive form. His only goal against Ho Chi Minh City FC helped Truong Tuoi Dong Nai secure a narrow 1-0 victory. This result helped the team from the Southeast region consolidate their top spot, widening their lead over second-placed Bac Ninh to 8 points.
At the national team level, coach Kim Sang-sik has decided to change the preparation schedule for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Instead of playing friendly matches in June, the Vietnamese national team will train in South Korea from July 2nd to July 14th, 2026. This is considered a crucial period to strengthen the team's physical fitness and refine their tactical skills under the South Korean strategist.
