2026/2027 National Cup Schedule: Qualifying Round Matches Determined

The 2026/2027 National Cup draw has created a fairly advantageous route for CAHN in the initial phase. In contrast, Hanoi FC might have to get past multiple ambitious rivals one after another to make it to the championship match.

On the afternoon of August 6, the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) conducted the draw and pairing for the 2026/2027 National Cup. A total of 27 clubs are participating, including 14 representatives from the V-League and 13 teams from the First Division.

Hanoi Police Club is one of five teams that do not have to play in the qualifying round. The club coached by Mano Polking receives this priority because it represents Vietnam in AFC club competitions and the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup for the 2026/2027 season.

According to the bracket, CAHN will face the winner of the Truong Tuoi Dong Nai - Dong Thap match in their opening game. If they advance, the capital side could then meet one of four teams: Long An, Bac Ninh, Khatoco Khanh Hoa, or Dai hoc Van Hien.

This is regarded as a fairly comfortable route for CAHN, as all notable contenders are in the other half of Branch A. A significant challenge may only arise in the semifinals, where the police team could potentially face Ho Chi Minh City Police or The Cong Viettel.

Meanwhile, defending champion Ho Chi Minh City Police are directly into the next round and will await the winner of the Dong A Thanh Hoa - Becamex HCMC match. Meanwhile, The Cong Viettel will take on the team that advances from the Quy Nhon United - HCMC pair.

In Branch B, Hanoi FC will start their campaign with a match against SHB Da Nang. If they get past the qualifying round, the Hang Day Stadium side will face Hai Phong or Quang Ninh.

The road ahead for Hanoi FC is predicted to be more challenging. Nam Dinh, who are exempt from the qualifying round and await the winner of the Xuan Thien Phu Tho - Hong Linh Ha Tinh pair, are the most formidable potential opponents for the purple-shirted team before the semifinals.

If they go deeper, Hanoi FC could also encounter Ninh Binh. The defending runners-up are placed in the lower part of Branch B and will meet the winner of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Hung Yen match in their opening game.

Other matches in this branch include Lam Dong against Song Lam Nghe An and PVF-CAND against Hue.

According to the regulations, Ho Chi Minh City Police and Ninh Binh, as defending champion and runner-up respectively, are placed in different branches. Therefore, the two teams can only meet again in the final.

Nam Dinh and The Cong Viettel, the two joint third-place teams from last season, are also exempt from the qualifying round. The first matches of the 2026/2027 National Cup are scheduled to take place in mid-September 2026.