Southeast Asian football fans shout Vietnam's name as they share a group with Thailand in the FIFA tournament

The fact that Vietnam and Thailand are both in Group B of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 immediately drew attention, sparking many debates among regional football fans.

According to the newly announced ranking and group draw results, the Vietnam national team will compete in Division 1 of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Coach Kim Sang Sik's side is placed in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines, and guest team Pakistan. Meanwhile, Group A consists of host Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Right after the groups were confirmed, Vietnam became one of the most mentioned names among Southeast Asian fans. Most opinions believe that the competition between the "Golden Star Warriors" and Thailand will decide the fate of Group B, while the Philippines could play the role of a dark horse thanks to a squad featuring many players who are active abroad.

A Malaysian fan commented: "Vietnam and Thailand are still the two most prominent candidates. If I had to pick which team has maintained greater consistency recently, I'd lean toward Vietnam. This group will be very exciting."

Meanwhile, an Indonesian fan argued: "I'm a Garuda supporter, but I have to admit Vietnam is currently one of the strongest teams in the region. We still want to compete to prove who is truly the number one in Southeast Asia."

A Thai fan expressed excitement about the chance to face Vietnam again: "Thailand needs to settle old scores, but it would be a mistake to underestimate Vietnam. They have a balanced squad and play very disciplined football. Even having our best players available doesn't guarantee we will definitely win."

On the flip side, a Filipino fan sees the tough group as an opportunity to test their abilities: "Calling up players who are active in Europe will make the Philippines stronger. Facing Vietnam and Thailand is very difficult, but it's also the best test to see where we stand."

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 3, within the FIFA Days window. This allows teams to call up their best squads, unlike the traditional ASEAN Cup, which usually takes place outside the international match calendar. Results from these matches will also count toward the FIFA rankings. Tuổi Trẻ

Division 1 will be hosted by Indonesia, while Hong Kong (China) will host Division 2. Detailed match schedules and regulations regarding advancement, promotion, and relegation will be announced in the coming period.