Coach Kim Sang-sik sends a firm message to the players of the Vietnam National Team

The most recent call-up list of the Vietnam National Team for the ASEAN Championship 2026 goes beyond mere tournament preparation. The controversial omissions, including Tiến Linh and Tuấn Hải, signal Coach Kim Sang-sik's clear intent regarding a force transition and his aspiration to create a more combative squad going forward.

The latest call-up list of the Vietnam National Team preparing for the ASEAN Championship 2026 is not merely a list for a regional tournament. Behind the selections of Coach Kim Sang-sikis a powerful message about a generational shift, opening a new chapter for Vietnamese football.

The most striking point is the absence of experienced names like Nguyễn Tiến Linh and Phạm Tuấn Hải. Meanwhile, a host of young players such as Trần Trung Kiên, Đinh Quang Kiệt, Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ, Phạm Gia Hưng, Nguyễn Đình Bắc, and Ngô Đăng Khoa have been given opportunities.

This decision shows that Coach Kim Sang-sik is adhering to the stance he has repeatedly emphasized since taking charge of the Vietnam National Team: only the best-performing players will be given chances. Tiến Linh's repeated misses of clear opportunities in club colors and Tuấn Hải's underwhelming season have cost these two stars.

Not only selecting players based on form, the Korean strategist also prioritizes groups of players who have chemistry at the club level. Hà Nội, Công An Hà Nội, and Ninh Bình are the clubs contributing the largest numbers. This is seen as a way to quickly build team cohesion given the limited preparation time.

Another notable detail is that the Vietnam National Team has chosen South Korea as a training base ahead of the ASEAN Championship. For Coach Kim Sang-sik, this is not just a routine training trip. The familiar environment of his home country is expected to help players maintain the best psychological state, while also allowing the coaching staff to carry out important tactical experiments.

During their stay in Incheon, the Vietnam National Team is expected to play three friendly matches against local opponents. This is an opportunity for Coach Kim Sang-sik to review his squad, assess form, and finalize the core for the journey to defend the ASEAN Championship title.

However, the ASEAN Championship may only be the beginning. Late 2026 and early 2027 will be an extremely grueling period as the Vietnam National Team successively participates in the ASEAN Championship, the FIFA ASEAN Cup, and further on the AFC Asian Cup 2027. This requires the team to have sufficient squad depth to maintain competitiveness on multiple fronts.

Looking at recent personnel decisions, it is clear that Coach Kim Sang-sik is no longer focused on short-term successes. The Korean manager is gradually building a younger, more energetic Vietnam National Team ready for big future goals. The transition has begun, and the ASEAN Championship 2026 will be the first test of his vision.