Song Lam Nghe An will face a big challenge in the 2025/26 National Cup
With the achievement of being the runner-up of the 2024/25 National Cup, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) was given a special privilege to go straight to the round of 16 of this season's tournament.
According to the draw results at noon on August 11 at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation, coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team will meet the winner of the match between SHB Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club. If they pass the round of 16,Lam River Nghe Anlikely to face the reigning V-League champion Nam Dinh Steel Blue. This is a huge challenge on the way to repeating the runner-up achievement of last season.
The 2025/26 National Cup promises to be full of drama from the start when Hanoi FC faces The Cong Viettel in the preliminary round. The winner of this match will face the reigning champion CAHN in the round of 16. The draw puts 3 of the top 4 teams of V-League 2024/25 in the same bracket, signaling top-notch confrontations right from the knockout round.
In addition to SLNA, the teams of Ho Chi Minh City Police, Nam Dinh Blue Steel, CAHN, PVF-CAND and Hai Phong are also exempted from the preliminary round. In the round of 16, Nam Dinh Blue Steel will meet the winner between Long An and Quy Nhon Binh Dinh; Ho Chi Minh City Police will face Ho Chi Minh City or Dong Thap; PVF-CAND will meet the winner between Dong A Thanh Hoa and HAGL. According to experts, Nam Dinh Blue Steel, PVF-CAND and Ho Chi Minh City Police have many opportunities to advance, while CAHN will have to overcome a tough challenge from Hanoi FC or The Cong Viettel.
This year's tournament brings together 26 professional clubs, including 14 V-League teams and 12 First Division teams. Starting on September 13, 2025, the National Cup will end with the final match on June 28, 2026. The champion team will receive the Cup, Gold Medal and 2 billion VND in prize money. VAR technology will continue to be applied in some rounds and important matches.
The list of participating clubs includes: Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi Police, Ho Chi Minh City Police, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Hanoi FC, Hai Phong, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Ninh Binh, PVF-CAND, SHB Da Nang, Song Lam Nghe An, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, The Cong Viettel, Bac Ninh, Van Hien University, Dong Thap, Gia Dinh, Hoa Binh, Khatoco Khanh Hoa, Long An, Ho Chi Minh City, Tre Ho Chi Minh City, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, Quang Ninh, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh. The PVF-CAND Youth Club did not participate because it was under the same management unit as PVF-CAND.
With a difficult draw and the possibility of facing defending champion Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in the quarter-finals, SLNA's journey at the 2025/26 National Cup will certainly be full of challenges.
