Indonesian media unexpectedly highlights a major issue for the Vietnam national team

Indonesian media suggests that the Vietnam national team risks a manpower shortage at the 2026 AFF Cup, as the AFC Champions League Elite schedule forces clubs and the national team to compete for players.

Indonesian media has recently pointed out a significant challenge facing Vietnamese football ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup. According to Superball, the Vietnam national team may be unable to field its strongest lineup due to a congested schedule, which puts clubs and the national team in direct competition to retain top stars.

The root cause of this issue stems from the draw for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite play-off round. Vietnam's representative, CAHN FC, will take on Adelaide United in a decisive match for a spot in the group stage. The clash takes place in Australia on July 11, a date very close to the Vietnam national team's preparation period for the 2026 AFF Cup.

Superball considers this an exceptionally tough situation for coach Kim Sang Sik. The AFF Cup is scheduled to begin in late July, while several key Vietnamese players belong to CAHN FC. If the police club prioritizes its continental commitments, the national team may not be able to assemble its full desired squad.

Indonesian media also stresses that the AFF Cup is not part of FIFA's official match calendar. This means clubs are not obligated to release players for the national team. In the event of schedule conflicts, the decision largely rests with the clubs.

According to Superball, this is a difficult problem because CAHN FC currently supplies a large number of Vietnamese national team players. If these players must prioritize the AFC Champions League Elite, the national team's strength during AFF Cup preparations will inevitably be significantly affected. This could put the reigning Southeast Asian champions at a disadvantage even before the tournament starts.

Amid the public debates that have emerged, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) confirms that it is working with clubs to find a solution that balances the interests of the national team and club level. However, according to Superball's assessment, this is merely a principle-based direction rather than a concrete plan. Given the unchangeable schedule, Vietnamese football still faces the risk of a manpower shortage as the 2026 AFF Cup draws very close.