Hot football news afternoon of July 29: Thai media wary of Vietnam national team

Thai media sounds the alarm over the encounter with Vietnam in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Neymar formally leaves the Brazil squad, and the most recent updates from the transfer market and global football scene.

Thai newspaper cautious about Vietnam team

Right after the draw ceremony for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Thai media paid special attention to the match against the Vietnam national team in Group B of Division 1. The Siam Sport stated that the showdown between the two leading football nations in Southeast Asia will be the focal match, potentially deciding the group winner and the ticket to the final.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 takes place during the FIFA Days from September 24 to October 3, with all results counting toward FIFA rankings, allowing teams to call up their strongest squads. Besides Vietnam and Thailand, Group B also includes the Philippines and Pakistan, promising intense competition from the group stage onward.

FIFA ASEAN Cup not yet started, Pakistan already sparks controversy

The fact that Pakistan is placed in Division 1 of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 alongside Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines has become a topic of debate. The South Asian team is ranked 198th in FIFA, the lowest in Division 1 and even below all teams in Division 2. Pakistan's form is also unimpressive, finishing bottom of their group in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers after two draws and four losses. Notably, Myanmar, which beat Pakistan in both legs and has a significantly higher FIFA ranking, is only competing in Division 2. To date, FIFA has not disclosed the criteria for division allocation, raising questions about the selection process for this new tournament.

FIFA confirms Embolo decision

FIFA has defended the VAR decision in the incident that led to Breel Embolo receiving a second yellow card and being sent off during the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina. The world football governing body stated that VAR intervened not for the yellow card, but to correct a case of mistaken identity, after determining that Leandro Paredes did not commit a foul while Embolo had simulated an offense.

FIFA asserted that this handling was consistent with the rules applied throughout the tournament and helped prevent an innocent player from receiving a penalty. Although opinions remain divided on the scope of VAR intervention, FIFA emphasized that the final decision restored justice on the pitch.

Neymar ends era with "Selecao"

Neymar officially confirmed his departure from the Brazil national team, ending a illustrious international career as the all-time leading scorer in the history of Selecao. After Brazil was eliminated by Norway at the 2026 World Cup, the 34-year-old forward announced he has no intention of returning to the national team, closing over a decade of dedication to the yellow and green jersey.

Alongside the shocking decision, Neymar also dismissed criticism regarding his participation in a poker tournament and denied reports that he publicly attacked his teammates at Santos. While he continues to play at the club level, Neymar's departure opens a challenging transitional period for the Brazil national team.

MU busy with transfers

Manchester United continues to be a focal point in the transfer market with a series of notable developments. Young defender Harry Amass has attracted interest from several Championship clubs, while Joshua Zirkzee may return to Serie A on loan, with Juventus, Roma, and Como all monitoring the situation.

On the other hand, Bruno Fernandes is reportedly still committed to Old Trafford despite rumors of a departure. The Red Devils are also competing with Liverpool and RB Leipzig to sign Portuguese talent Francisco Conceicao. Additionally, Danny Welbeck has been linked with Chelsea, but Manchester United has not completely abandoned the idea of re-signing the former English striker.

Football news roundup

The Singapore national team has arrived in Hanoi to prepare for the big match against Vietnam in the AFF Cup 2026. Domestically, Bui Vi Hao continues to be sidelined due to a second ligament tear, forcing Becamex City to recall Ha Duc Chinh to bolster the attack.

In Europe, Claudio Ranieri returns as Technical Director of the Italy national team, while Marc Cucurella draws attention for keeping his promise to get a tattoo of coach Luis de la Fuente's portrait after Spain's 2026 World Cup victory.

On the transfer market, Chelsea is closing in on Danny Welbeck, Arsenal has revived talks for Bruno Guimaraes, Real Madrid is determined to keep Vinicius Junior, while Kalvin Phillips is set to leave Manchester City on loan.