Top 3 contenders for the AFF Cup 2026 title: Vietnam leads, with Thailand and Indonesia as strong challengers

Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia stand out as the top three contenders for the AFF Cup 2026 crown, boasting distinct advantages and goals.

The AFF Cup 2026 is approaching and the power dynamics of Southeast Asian football are becoming increasingly clear. Based on personnel changes, preparation plans, and ambitions highlighted by regional media, the three most prominent contenders remain the Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia national teams. Each is taking a different approach but all show readiness to accelerate in this long-term competition.

Vietnam National Team – the reigning champions at their peak

Vietnam enters the tournament holding a status envied by all rivals: the current champion and a team accustomed to the pressure of winning. After many years of development, the team’s core remains stable, while the younger generation from the U23 squad is maturing, creating healthy competition across most positions.

Coach Kim Sang Sik is highly regarded for his ability to organize gameplay and read matches. His philosophy emphasizes discipline, quick transitions, and efficiency in crucial games, making Vietnam very tough to defeat. In fact, the deeper they go, the more the players’ resilience shines through.

With a full-strength squad and consistent form, Vietnam remains the “mountain” every championship ambition must overcome. Don’t forget that Vietnam will also add quality naturalized players such as Hoang Hen (Hendrio), Tai Loc (Geovane), and Phi Long (Gustavo), who promise to make Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad even stronger, like a tiger growing wings.

Thailand National Team – ambition to reinforce their historic top position

Thailand always appears in the AFF Cup as a familiar favorite. Their glorious past, filled with numerous titles, gives them a huge psychological advantage, especially in knockout matches where pressure often causes opponents to slip up.

Under new coach Anthony Hudson, the “War Elephants” aim not just to reach the final but to lift the trophy. They want to widen the gap in achievements compared to other regional teams. The mix of experienced veterans and rising young players gives Thailand’s squad significant depth.

Compared to Vietnam’s group, Thailand’s group stage path is considered easier. However, the real challenge will be in the semifinals and finals, where they are likely to face one of the other two “big three” contenders.

Indonesia National Team – a major advantage from the homecoming wave

Indonesia is making a strategic move as many naturalized players return to compete in the domestic league. This decision solves a long-standing problem in previous AFF Cups: foreign clubs are not obligated to release players since the tournament is not on the FIFA calendar.

With key players like Jordi Amat, Shayne Pattynama, and others regularly playing at home, the coaching staff can closely monitor their form and increase joint training sessions to improve teamwork. For Coach John Herdman, having control over personnel is key to building the best lineup.

Indonesia has reached the finals multiple times but has yet to claim the top spot. Therefore, the current generation is seen as a golden opportunity to break the title drought.

Three teams, three distinct foundations of strength: Vietnam is stable and resilient, Thailand rich in winning tradition, and Indonesia with a large naturalized squad and a burning desire to explode. These factors promise to make AFF Cup 2026 a fierce competition where the difference between glory and defeat could come down to just a few moments.