ASEAN Cup 2026 after World Cup: Vietnam faces big challenges
ASEAN Cup 2026 takes place from July 24 to August 26 right after the World Cup; Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines can call up their maximum forces, putting the Vietnamese national team in front of a big challenge.
The ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled by the AFF to take place from July 24 to August 26, right after the World Cup and during the break of European tournaments. The door to summoning the strongest force is wide open for teams with many players playing in Europe, turning the championship race into an unprecedentedly harsh test for the Vietnam national team.
Match schedule and format to maintain AFF Cup identity
The AFF confirmed that the group stage will have 10 teams, competing in a single round-robin at various locations in the region, from July 24 to August 8. The knockout round will take place from August 15-26 in a home-away format, continuing the traditional identity of the tournament.
| Stage | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 24/7 – 8/8 | 10 teams, single round robin, multiple locations |
| Knockout round | August 15 – August 26 | Home and away |
AFF President Khiev Sameth emphasized: "AFF Cup is the most prestigious international football tournament in Southeast Asia". The schedule adjustment is also associated with the 30-year milestone of the tournament.
Opponents strengthen their forces: European cards return
Playing in the summer allows teams like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to easily call up their full squads of players currently playing in Europe – a group that was previously absent due to scheduling conflicts. The quality of the tournament therefore promises to increase significantly.
Indonesia: Full European Core
Indonesia can gather names familiar with the top environment such as Mees Hilgers, Kevin Dijks, Jay Idzes, Ivan Jenner or Ole Romeny. Their simultaneous presence enhances the squad structure in both defense and transition – an element that can make the difference in home and away knock-out matches.
Malaysia: Stable human resource framework
Malaysia still has pillars like Dion Cools and Richard Chin after eliminating seven cases of fraudulent naturalization. The discipline and international experience of this group is the foundation for Malaysia to maintain a high level of competition in the crucial stage.
Philippines: Quality output from top environment
The Philippines has benefited greatly from a crop of players who have grown up in developed footballing countries such as Paul Tabinas, Gerrit Holtmann, Dylan Demuynck, Sebastian Rasmussen. Holtmann has scored ten goals in the Bundesliga and represented Germany U20 – an important indicator of the quality of output they can bring to the tournament.
Challenge for Vietnam National Team: The biggest test in many years
In the context that the opponent can bring in a squad of experienced players from Europe, the Vietnamese team entered the tournament with no small pressure when there were no players playing abroad. The purely domestic force forced the defending champion to optimize the team organization, minimizing risks against opponents with a high physical foundation and speed of the match.
In the home-away series, the factor of playing away from home is put on the scale. The ability to control the tempo, cover the gaps in transition and handle second ball situations can become the deciding factor.
The Big Picture: The 30-Year Milestone and the Question for the Throne
The ASEAN Cup 2026 is not only a historic turning point in the competition schedule but also a test for the position of the top teams in the region. When Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines can summon their maximum forces, the race promises to be more fierce and pose the highest challenge for Vietnam's journey to defend the throne.
The answer will come from the group stage which lasts until August 8, before the home-away knockout matches conclude on August 26.