Hot football news noon 4/6: Indonesian media challenges Vietnam national team, World Cup 2026 stirs with a series of hot updates

Indonesian media surprisingly provokes Vietnam national team before ASEAN Championship 2026, as the World Cup and transfer market intensify with several significant events.

Indonesian media taunts Vietnam national team

With less than two months left until ASEAN Championship 2026, Indonesian media has already sparked a psychological battle by suggesting that Vietnam will struggle to defend their title. Kompas newspaper claims that coach Kim Sang-sik's squad faces a "curse" of never winning back-to-back championships, while labeling Indonesia as the most formidable opponent in Group A due to their naturalization policy.

Nevertheless, Vietnam has ample reason for confidence, having won all eight recent matches and climbing nine spots in the FIFA rankings. The rivalry between the two teams promises to be fiercely intense.

U19 Vietnam set to battle U19 Myanmar

U19 Vietnam will face U19 Myanmar at 4:00 PM on June 4 in the second match of Group A at the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship. After a 3-0 victory over Timor Leste, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi's side has a great chance to advance early if they secure another three points.

Meanwhile, U19 Myanmar must win after a heavy defeat to hosts Indonesia. Historical data favors U19 Vietnam, as they remain unbeaten in the last five meetings with four wins and one draw. Given their form and psychological advantage, U19 Vietnam is expected to extend their winning streak in the tournament.

France receives great news ahead of World Cup 2026

Just days before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, French fans breathed a sigh of relief when Coach Deschamps officially addressed Saliba's condition.Amid reports that the Arsenal defender might miss the biggest football event due to a back injury, the French manager stated: "If he had to play tomorrow, he could still step onto the pitch."

Saliba is considered a crucial pillar of the "Les Bleus" defense after a stellar season with Arsenal, helping the London club win the Premier League. With Deschamps' confirmation, the 25-year-old star is likely to feature in the World Cup opener against Senegal.

Mainoo makes a bold statement about England

On the eve of World Cup 2026, midfielder Mainoo excited England fans with a confident declaration about their championship ambitions.When asked if the "Three Lions" can win the title, the Manchester United star answered firmly: "100%".

Mainoo attributed this belief to the squad depth under coach Tuchel, featuring stars like Kane, Bellingham, Saka, and Rashford. The 21-year-old midfielder also expressed excitement about participating in his first World Cup, emphasizing that the team aims to end the world title drought dating back to 1966.

Liverpool targets PSG's "rock" defender

Right after taking the helm at Anfield, coach Andoni Iraola began upgrading the defense, prioritizing PSG center-back Ilya Zabarnyi. According to Spanish media, the Merseyside club has had initial contacts with the Champions League winner, having just parted ways with Konate.Zabarnyi previously worked with Iraola at Bournemouth and is highly rated by the Spanish tactician for his reading of the game, tackling, and speed. Despite joining PSG for €63 million, the Ukrainian international is reportedly open to leaving for more playing time, paving the way for one of the most notable transfers of summer 2026.

Hot domestic and international football news

FIFA referee Le Vu Linh became a center of controversy after U19 Malaysia's 3-0 win over U19 Singapore, with two debatable decisions. Meanwhile, the VFF concluded a special FIFA seminar aimed at enhancing youth training in Vietnam.

In international football, Lionel Messi made history by becoming the first player to receive an award dubbed the "Sports Nobel." Ahead of World Cup 2026, England also faces a major challenge due to harsh weather in the US, forcing coach Tuchel to implement a special adaptation plan. Notably, Manchester United officially sold Hojlund to Napoli, accepting a significant loss to facilitate squad rebuilding.