HOT: Opponent about to withdraw, Vietnam's FIFA tournament faces major upheaval

India is weighing the option of skipping the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 or fielding a second-string team, leading to major changes in the competition.

The Times of India reported that, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is reviewing the possibility of pulling the national team out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup or sending a squad that is not its strongest lineup, in order to focus on the high-profile friendly match between India and Brazil in Kolkata.

The reason is that the schedules of the two events overlap. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled from September 24 to October 4, 2026, while the friendly between India and Brazil is set for October 3 at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

The AIFF previously proposed sending a reserve team to the tournament, which is being held for the first time, but FIFA rejected this request. Although Bhutia wanted to prioritize a competitive platform, most AIFF executive committee members are believed to lean toward focusing on the friendly with Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is the first edition of the tournament and is part of FIFA's official system. Therefore, FIFA would find it difficult to accept India not sending its strongest squad, as it would affect the tournament's prestige and professional quality. If India still prioritizes the friendly with Brazil, it is highly likely that this South Asian team will withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup. In that case, FIFA would have to scramble to find a replacement team, or one group would only have three teams.

According to FIFA's announcement, the tournament is divided into two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. Division 1 matches will be held in Indonesia, while Division 2 will be hosted in Hong Kong (China). The Vietnam national team is in Group B of Division 1 along with Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Group A of Division 1 includes Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. In Division 2, Group A consists of Hong Kong (China), Myanmar, and Brunei; Group B includes Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste.

During the AIFF executive committee meeting, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia proposed that the federation prioritize participation in the FIFA ASEAN Cup. According to him, the tournament has high professional value as India will have to compete against higher-rated teams such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Bhutia also argued that participating in the FIFA ASEAN Cup could bring participation fees and prize money if the Indian team advances deep into the tournament. In contrast, organizing the friendly match with Brazil would require the AIFF to spend a significant amount of money at a time when the federation is facing financial difficulties. Although some costs could be recovered through third-party partners, this plan still carries risks.