Will Đình Bắc and Trung Kiên move abroad in 2026?

Following the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, Nguyễn Đình Bắc and Trần Trung Kiên stood out as the brightest names in Vietnamese football anticipated to go abroad in 2026.

The year 2026 is seen as a pivotal moment for Vietnamese football, especially for the young players who made an impact at the U23 Asian Championship. After this tournament, the topic of "going abroad" is raised not just as a personal dream but also as a strategic step to enhance players' abilities. Among the standout faces, Nguyễn Đình Bắc and Trần Trung Kiên are two names considered to have the professional foundation, mindset, and timing suitable to consider playing overseas in 2026.

Regarding Nguyễn Đình Bắc, the 2026 U23 Asian Championship was a turning point. The forward born in 2004 impressed not only with his energetic and modern style of play but also finished the tournament as top scorer with 4 goals and 2 assists. His intelligent movements, constant pressing ability, and confidence in front of goal made Đình Bắc the most dangerous spearhead for U23 Vietnam, greatly contributing to the team's third-place finish.

Notably, the influence of his performance extended beyond Southeast Asia. Many Japanese fans expressed admiration and "invited" Đình Bắc to join the J.League, while some Japanese clubs are believed to have put him on their radar. Compared to many predecessors, Đình Bắc possesses skills better suited to modern football: speed, high work rate, and flexible game intelligence. If placed in the right environment, from the J.League, K League 2 to a mid-level European league, Đình Bắc could naturally consider moving abroad as a step forward in his career development.

In another position, Trần Trung Kiên represents the model of a steadily maturing player. The goalkeeper born in 2003 is currently in his most stable phase since becoming the regular starter at Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. In the V-League, he consistently delivers solid performances, playing a key role in the mountain team's fight to avoid relegation. At the national level, Trung Kiên has experience from the SEA Games, the national team, and the 2026 U23 Asian Championship.

After the continental tournament, Trung Kiên’s aspiration to go abroad became clearer, with Japan as his dream destination. Although interest from Japanese clubs remains exploratory, it is worth noting the young goalkeeper’s readiness to take risks. Trung Kiên understands that going abroad doesn’t guarantee an immediate starting spot, but it is an ideal environment to improve his game awareness, tactical discipline, and professional resilience—key qualities for a modern goalkeeper.

Overall, Nguyễn Đình Bắc and Trần Trung Kiên represent two different development paths but converge on one point: they have proven their worth at the continental level. In 2026, with a clear plan and proper support from their clubs, their moves abroad would not only be personal milestones but also positive signals for Vietnamese football. Most importantly, these must be solid steps to ensure young talents do not just "go abroad" but truly grow through tougher challenges.