Identify the final opponent of Vietnam's national team in the group stage of the 2026 AFF Cup

Timor Leste secured the final spot in the 2026 AFF Cup finals by overcoming Brunei 6-1 on aggregate in the two-legged playoff. Consequently, Vietnam's Group A opponents are now fully determined.

In the first leg, Timor Leste built a huge advantage with a 3-0 victory on Brunei's home turf. In the second leg on June 9, the Southeast Asian side continued to show their dominance, winning 3-1 and closing out the playoff with an emphatic 6-1 aggregate.

Despite conceding a surprise opener in the 42nd minute from a beautiful long-range strike by Brunei captain Azwan Ali Rahman, Timor Leste maintained control. In the second half, Zion Cruz equalized with a header in the 56th minute, and Claudio Osorio made it 2-1 just six minutes later. In the 80th minute, Oatnasio Da Silva sealed the 3-1 victory for the team nicknamed "The Crocodiles".

With the ticket they just earned, Timor Leste will be placed in Group A of the 2026 AFF Cup alongside Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia. This is considered a fairly balanced group, as apart from defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore are also ambitious opponents.

Notably, Timor Leste will be the first opponent for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team at the 2026 AFF Cup. Vietnam's opening match is scheduled for July 24. This is seen as a favorable opportunity for the red-shirted squad to aim for a smooth start in their journey to defend the regional crown.

The 2026 AFF Cup also marks the fifth time Timor Leste has participated in Southeast Asia's premier competition, and the second consecutive time they have qualified through the playoffs. Although they have never advanced past the group stage in history, Timor Leste is showing significant progress and promises to no longer be an easy pushover.