Vietnam's Opponent Finalizes Squad for AFF Cup 2026

The East Timorese side has unveiled their 26-man lineup for the 2026 AFF Cup, preparing to face Vietnam in their first game.

With less than a month to go before the AFF Cup 2026 kicks off, Timor-Leste has officially released its 26-player squad. They are also Vietnam's first opponent in Group A, with the clash scheduled for July 24.

According to the list published by the Timor-Leste Football Federation (FFTL), coach Zé Pedro has brought a squad consisting of 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 5 midfielders, and as many as 11 forwards. This lineup structure shows that the Portuguese tactician prioritizes strengthening the attacking force in order to aim for surprising the stronger opponents in the group.

Up front, Timor-Leste pins high hopes on several experienced names such as Joao Pedro, Paulo Gusmão, and Luis Figo. Additionally, Olagar Xavier (Kaka), Gustavo Mota, Zion Cruz, and Alexandre Corsino are also included, offering many options for coach Zé Pedro. In the midfield, Palomito Ribeiro, Natalino de Jesus, Claudio Osorio, Tristan Xavi Arrarte, and Denilson Almeida will take charge of controlling the game and supporting the attack.

Meanwhile, Timor-Leste's defensive line consists of seven players: Juvito Moniz, Jackson M. Pereira Fowler, Eric Tomas T. Silva, Joao Varudo, Ryan Harris Jom, Anizo Correia, and Liam Fernando Farrugia. The three goalkeepers registered for the tournament are Dylan Jose Niski, Alexandre Lima, and Igidio Oliveira, forming a relatively balanced framework for the Southeast Asian representative.

According to the draw results, Timor-Leste is placed in Group A alongside defending champions Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia. Coach Zé Pedro's team earned their spot in the finals after overcoming Brunei in the playoff round. Timor-Leste's first match will be hosting Vietnam on July 24, although the venue has yet to be confirmed by the organizers. Due to not meeting hosting standards, Timor-Leste will likely again choose a neutral ground for their home games, similar to the playoff round.

On the Vietnamese side, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players will begin their title defense campaign with a match against Timor-Leste, before successively facing Singapore (July 31), Indonesia (August 3), and Cambodia (August 7). Timor-Leste's early release of their squad for the 2026 Cup shows that the team is ready for the tournament, promising to pose certain challenges for their opponents in Group A, including the reigning champions Vietnam.