OFFICIAL: Nguyen Tien Linh removed from Vietnam national team roster

Nguyen Tien Linh was unexpectedly dropped from the Vietnam national team list for the March 2026 FIFA Days, as his severe decline in form forced coach Kim Sang-sik to make a tough decision.

Vietnam national team has announced the list of 23 players for the March 2026 FIFA Days training camp, with the surprising absence of key striker Nguyen Tien Linh.

Aiming for the crucial matches during the March 2026 FIFA Days, the Vietnam national team officially announced the list of 23 summoned players. Notably, the blend of experienced pillars and new promising talents is expected to bring an anticipated look to coach Kim Sang-sik's squad.

However, the focal point of this list is the absence of striker Nguyen Tien Linh, who has been an irreplaceable scorer for the national team's attack for many years. This is considered a pivotal decision, clearly reflecting the serious slump in form of the 1997-born player recently.

Since transferring to Ho Chi Minh City Police Club for the 2025/2026 season, Nguyen Tien Linh has failed to rediscover his innate goal-scoring instinct. He is experiencing a consecutive 11-match goal drought in domestic competitions. Across all competitions, this forward has only scored a mere 4 goals, a number far too modest compared to expectations.

Coach Le Huynh Duc also acknowledged that Tien Linh's biggest current issue lies in psychology, as the pressure to score has caused him to lose confidence and his best feel for the ball. The player himself could not hide his disappointment with his declining performance.

On the other hand, the summoned list still gathers all the familiar faces, forming a stable core for the national team such as goalkeepers Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Filip; defenders Duy Manh, Xuan Manh, Van Vi; midfielders Hoang Duc, Quang Hai; along with forwards Tuan Hai and Nguyen Xuan Son.

Notably, this gathering marks the return of two center-backs Doan Van Hau and Tran Dinh Trong after long injury treatments. This is also the first time this duo has been summoned under coach Kim Sang-sik. While Dinh Trong maintains stable form at Hanoi Police Club, Van Hau has shown positive signs with 1 goal and 1 assist in just his last 4 matches.

Additionally, the first-time inclusion of naturalized midfielder Do Hoang Hen (Hendrio Araujo) is also a noteworthy highlight. This player is highly rated for his technique and creativity, promising to bring a fresh breeze to the national team's midfield.

According to plan, the Vietnam national team will assemble in Hanoi from March 21st. During this FIFA Days period, coach Kim Sang-sik's team will have a friendly match against Bangladesh on March 26th at Hang Day Stadium, before facing Malaysia on March 31st at Thiên Truong Stadium within the framework of the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup.

Nguyen Tien Linh's removal from the list is not only a strong wake-up call for the individual player, but also shows the fierce competition and the priority placed on performance criteria within the Vietnam national team.