"Vietnam’s squad adds three new naturalized players, poised to become a threat to Indonesia at the AFF Cup 2026," reads the headline of an article on Bola.com following Coach Kim Sang Sik’s announcement of the roster on the afternoon of June 15.

The 2025/26 season concluded in an emotionally turbulent manner for Ho Chi Minh City football. Becamex HCMC was relegated, while Công An HCMC staged a dramatic late-season comeback to win the National Cup. This marked the first title in 13 years since Xuân Thành Sài Gòn's triumph in 2013, and eight years after Becamex Bình Dương lifted the cup — if counting by the newly merged locality.

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the Middle East, the Iraqi national team will make its return to the global football stage after 40 years when facing Norway in the first match of Group I at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 17. However, the West Asian representative is predicted to encounter significant difficulties against a Norway side that boasts what is considered the strongest generation of players in decades, led by top star Erling Haaland.

On June 15, Beijing time, the World Cup group stage continued. A high-profile match had just ended, with Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia taking on South American powerhouse Uruguay. The result was a surprise: Saudi Arabia held Uruguay to a 1-1 draw. Consequently, the five Asian teams have achieved an unbeaten record of 2 wins and 3 draws—truly incredible!

Breaking Vietnamese football news for June 16: Cao Quang Vinh explains why he is missing from the Vietnam national team.

The World Cup has always been the ultimate stage for football, bringing together the latest tactical trends, modern match management standards, and global rule changes. For Vietnamese football, watching the World Cup is not only about enjoying top-level matches but also an opportunity for self-reflection.

Manchester United will definitely sign players for two positions this summer. The first is clearly the midfield, with the club already securing 39 million-pound Ederson and planning to bid for West Ham's Matheus Fernandes. In addition to the defensive midfield role, left-back is also a must-strengthen area in the summer window.

On June 16, Beijing time, a massive upset occurred in the first round of Group H at the World Cup, as Cape Verde, a debutant nation with a population of just 500,000, held the European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw, securing a historic first point in their World Cup debut. Besides the 40-year-old veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, who made seven incredible saves, 33-year-old center-back Roberto Lopes also emerged as a hero for the team.

On June 16, Beijing time, the World Cup group stage continued with two matches that ended in upsets. Spain, ranked second in the world, was held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde, a small African nation. Meanwhile, Belgium, ranked ninth, was stunned with a 1-1 draw by Egypt, another African side. As a result, ten European teams have now appeared in the World Cup, but only three have secured victories. It’s fair to say this outcome is quite unexpected!

First, France vs. Senegal. The home team is ranked 3rd, with a squad full of stars and is a top contender for the title. The away team, ranked 15th, is not weak overall but still struggles against the home side. Jackson is widely considered to have poor finishing ability, while Mané, having played in Saudi Arabia for years, is an uncertainty in form. Based on warm-up matches, the home team has maintained good form, while the away team, despite decent performances, faced relatively weak opponents, making their results less convincing.