Proposal to increase foreign players on the field in V.League: The benefits outweigh the disadvantages
Some clubs sent a letter to VPF - VFF requesting that V.League teams be allowed to use a maximum of 4 foreign players on the field. This could stifle the opportunities for young domestic talents to play.
According to the Draft Regulations of V.League 2025/26, in the 11 official players, there are a maximum of 3 foreign players; a maximum of 1 Vietnamese player of foreign origin; a maximum of 2 foreign players of Vietnamese origin; 1 player is a goalkeeper). At all times of the match, each club is only allowed to use a maximum of 3 foreign players on the field.
Many clubs in V.League have proposed registering a maximum of 4 foreign players out of a total of 11 official players. This is a solution to take advantage of player resources, avoid waste; at the same time, improve the quality and increase the attractiveness of the tournament.
However, with the increase in the number of foreign players on the field, many teams will, due to the pressure of performance, make the most of foreign players, overseas Vietnamese and naturalized players with a total of 7/11 players. Thus, there will be only 4 domestic players with the opportunity to officially play in the V.League, including 1 goalkeeper.
Currently, advanced football countries in the world, Asia and Southeast Asia, are all opening their doors to foreign players. However, in many different ways, players trained by the clubs themselves still have many opportunities to play and develop, becoming key players of the National Team.
Looking at the list of players in the V.League in recent seasons, most young Vietnamese players in general have very little playing time. Except for some teams that focus on training and have available human resources such as Lam River Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, The Cong – Viettel…
If you look at the list of “Top scorers” in recent seasons, most of them are foreign strikers, focusing on the forward line. Because they do not have the opportunity to compete, of course, no domestic striker has the opportunity to develop and maintain their form when playing in the National Team.
In the new season 2025/26, there will be many changes when not only the number of foreign players registered for each match increases but there will also be 2 direct relegation slots. Therefore, if any team does not have careful preparation early, the ability to compete for the championship as well as stay in the league will be extremely tense.
V.League 2025/26 is expected to start on August 15, 2025. The draw for the match schedule will be held by VPF on July 14. At this time, the transfer market has begun to become active. However, the Vietnam Football Federation and the Organizing Committee of Vietnam Professional Football Tournaments should soon make a final decision so that the teams can have the best preparation for the tournament./.
