Top Candidates for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup: What Chances Does Vietnam Have?

The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup marks the first time the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has organized a regional tournament for Southeast Asia within the FIFA Days framework.

Vietnam – The Reigning Southeast Asian Champion

Vietnam enters the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup as the current Southeast Asian champion, while also possessing a squad considered the strongest in many years.

The biggest advantage for head coach Kim Sang-sik is the trio of quality naturalized players: Nguyễn Xuân Son, Đỗ Hoàng Hên, and Nguyễn Tài Lộc. The presence of these three stars significantly boosts the attacking and midfield strength of the Vietnamese national team.

Additionally, the team boasts many domestic players in top form, such as Nguyễn Đình Bắc, Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, and Nguyễn Quang Hải. Đình Bắc is one of the most prominent scorers in the V.League, while Hoàng Đức and Quang Hải remain the soul of the team's playing style.

The combination of experience, quality naturalized foreigners, and a stable domestic squad makes Vietnam the top contender for the championship.

Thailand – The Team with the Highest FIFA Ranking in Southeast Asia

Thailand has always been a leading force in regional football. Currently, the "War Elephants" are ranked 94th in the FIFA World Rankings, the highest among Southeast Asian teams.

The Land of Smiles team still retains experienced pillars such as Chanathip Songkrasin and Theerathon Bunmathan, players who have won multiple regional titles and competed in Asian tournaments.

Moreover, Thailand also possesses a promising young generation, notably striker Yotsakorn Burapha, who is expected to become the new spearhead of the attack.

With a balance between experience and youth, Thailand is certainly one of the most formidable opponents at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Indonesia – The "Galaxy" of Naturalized Players

Indonesia continues to be regarded as one of the top contenders for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup championship, thanks to a squad of naturalized players of exceptional quality. In recent years, the archipelago nation has successfully built a team featuring many players currently competing in top European leagues, significantly raising their professional level.

In defense, head coach John Herdman has captain center-back Jay Idzes, who plays for Sassuolo in Serie A, along with Kevin Diks of Borussia Mönchengladbach and Mees Hilgers from Twente. In goal are two experienced keepers: Emil Audero, now with Como, and Maarten Paes of Ajax Amsterdam. On the left flank, Calvin Verdonk, currently playing for Lille, provides solidity and effective attacking support.

Not only boasting a high-value squad, Indonesia has also demonstrated progress by reaching the final round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, an unprecedented achievement in the country's football history. The fact that key players can gather during the FIFA Days period is expected to allow Indonesia to maximize its strength. With a foundation of players competing in Europe's top football environments and the ambition to win their first FIFA-organized regional tournament, Indonesia will certainly be a formidable rival for Vietnam and Thailand in the race for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup title.