The Vietnam national team plays their opening match of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup in Thailand.

Vietnam's first match of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup will be against Timor-Leste at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand on July 24.

The Football Federation of Timor-Leste (FFTL) has officially confirmed Chonburi Stadium as its home venue for the ASEAN Championship 2026. Because the national stadium does not meet tournament standards, Timor-Leste has often used home grounds in Thailand or Malaysia in recent years.

According to the schedule, Timor-Leste is Vietnam's first opponent in Group A. Hence, coach Kim Sang-sik's team will begin their journey to defend the Southeast Asian title at Chonburi Stadium on July 24.

Ahead of the tournament, coach Jose Pedro Alves Salazar announced Timor-Leste's 26-player squad. Notably, the roster includes many players who are currently playing or developed abroad. Striker Oatnasio da Silva, who plays for Portadown FC in Northern Ireland, has been confirmed by his club to be on Timor-Leste's squad for the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup.

Besides Oatnasio da Silva, names like Zion Cruz and Claudio Osorio are also noteworthy. All three scored in the 3-1 win over Brunei in the second leg of the playoff. Timor-Leste advanced to the group stage after wins of 3-0 and 3-1, defeating Brunei with a 6-1 aggregate.

Coach Salazar's 26-player list also includes Dylan Jose Niski, Alexandre Lima, Jackson M. Pereira Fowler, Liam Fernando Farrugia, Tristan Xavi Arrarte, Joao Pedro, Gustavo Mota, and Zion Cruz. According to the official list released by the ASEAN Football Federation, Timor-Leste brings 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 11 forwards to the tournament.

Although considered inferior to Vietnam, Timor-Leste showed progress and notable attacking ability in the two playoff matches. The inclusion of many players with international football backgrounds also adds a new dimension to coach Salazar's squad ahead of their clash with the defending champions.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team is training in Incheon, South Korea. After a friendly match against Siheung FC, the team will face Yongin FC on the afternoon of July 8 and play their final friendly against Gangwon FC on July 13. Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad will then return home, play a friendly against Myanmar at Thai Nguyen Stadium on July 18, before heading to Thailand.

The Timor-Leste vs. Vietnam match takes place on July 24 at Chonburi Stadium, kicking off the Vietnamese team's campaign to defend the ASEAN Hyundai Cup title.