Coach Kim Sang Sik has registered a full squad of 23 players for the match against Laos.
All 23 players have been registered for the Vietnam vs. Laos match on November 18th in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup; two newcomers are included, and Xuan Son makes his comeback after almost a year.
There were no last-minute purges. Coach Kim Sang Sik confirmed the registration of all 23 players called up for the Vietnam national team's match against Laos on November 18th, the second leg of the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup.
The team will assemble on November 10th in Viet Tri (Phu Tho province) and is expected to travel to Laos on November 15th.
The list is now complete with 23 members and a message of personnel stability.
With the announcement of a squad of exactly 23 players, the Vietnamese national team does not need to eliminate any more players according to the tournament regulations. This helps the coaching staff maintain stability and optimize the preparation process, as all those called up are eligible to play in the match against Laos.
Compared to previous training camps, this is a consistent move by coach Kim Sang Sik in personnel management. In October, Vietnam initially called up 24 players to prepare for two matches against Nepal in the Asian Cup qualifiers, but Quang Hai withdrew due to injury, leaving the list at 23. In June, the team also called up exactly 23 players. During the FIFA Days in March, the team called up 26 players for a friendly match against Cambodia and a match against Laos in the Asian Cup qualifiers; at that time, three players were not registered: Nguyen Thai Son, Trinh Xuan Hoang, and Tran Bao Toan.
Two rookies, a notable comeback.
This list features two newcomers: center-back Khổng Minh Gia Bảo (Ho Chi Minh City Police FC) and striker Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường (Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC). The addition of a center-back and a striker provides more options for two key positions, while also increasing internal competition.
Fans are also eagerly awaiting the return of naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son after nearly a year of injury treatment. According to information from the call-up, Xuan Son has fully recovered but has not played any official matches. It is unclear whether he will be given playing time; it is very likely that the striker will be given a chance in the final minutes to regain his match rhythm.
Recent personnel changes
Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad management strategy shows a clear roadmap: call up players as needed, minimize changes before kick-off, and ensure all players are ready to register. The numbers below illustrate the changes throughout the year:
| Batch | Number of players called up | Not registered | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| March (FIFA Days) | 26 | 3 | Matches against Cambodia (friendly) and Laos (Asian Cup qualifiers); not registered: Nguyen Thai Son, Trinh Xuan Hoang, Tran Bao Toan |
| June | 23 | 0 | Call up all 23 players for the match against Malaysia. |
| October | 24 (later reduced to 23) | 0 (after Quang Hai withdrew) | Preparing for the two matches against Nepal in the Asian Cup qualifiers. |
| November | 23 | 0 | Registered for the match against Laos (second leg of the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup) |
The significance of the match against Laos
Not having to cut players reduces psychological pressure and allows the coaching staff to stabilize the match plan, especially in preparing fixed formations and organizing substitutions. The two new players add depth to the defense and attack, while the return of Xuan Son opens up another option in the forward line. A squad of 23 means all options are available, giving the Vietnamese national team more control over personnel scenarios on November 18th.
