Vietnam's Team at the 2026 Asean Cup: Quang Hải's Pivotal Role

As Nguyen Quang Hai led Vietnam to the 2018 ASEAN Championship title, the event now referred to as the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup, and earned the Best Player award, he entered a "special" group of Southeast Asian football icons.

He not only became the second Vietnamese player to secure this prestigious individual honor, following goalkeeper Nguyen Hong Son in 1998, but also matched Thailand's Chanathip Songkrasin as the only players to win this accolade at the age of 21.

Although Chanathip retains the record as the youngest Best Player winner, Quang Hai was less than six months older when he guided Vietnam to regional triumph, and both players subsequently became foundational to their national teams' ongoing successes.

Quang Hai made his senior national team debut during Vietnam's 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign, featuring in a goalless draw against Jordan before netting his first international goal in a 2-1 win over Cambodia.

He also excelled at the youth level, helping Vietnam reach the 2016 U-19 Asian Cup semifinals before becoming a key figure in the team's historic run to an Asian-level final for the first time at any age group in early 2018.

As the creative core of an inspiring Vietnamese team at the 2018 U-23 Asian Cup in China, Quang Hai scored five goals, including a memorable free kick in the snow during the final. Though Vietnam finished as runners-up to Uzbekistan, their achievement captured the hearts and imaginations of fans across Asia.

He carried that momentum into the 2018 ASEAN Championship later that year, and his growing talent and experience enabled him to shoulder the national team's responsibilities at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) flagship regional tournament, which has evolved into the "crown jewel" of ASEAN football.

Quang Hai made his mark on the tournament with a goal in Vietnam's 3-0 opening win against Laos, followed by another goal and an assist in a second 3-0 victory, this time against Cambodia, as Vietnam topped their group unbeaten.

He also proved decisive in the semifinals, scoring the opening goal in the second leg against the Philippines, building on a 2-1 first-leg advantage, as Park Hang-seo's side advanced to the final.

Vietnam faced Malaysia in the championship decider, and after a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, it was Quang Hai who unlocked the Malaysian defense in the return match in Hanoi.

His lofted cross from the left wing set up Nguyen Anh Duc for a volleyed goal in the sixth minute, securing a 1-0 victory, a 3-2 aggregate win, and giving Vietnam its long-awaited second ASEAN championship, a decade after their first title.

The victory ended a frustrating wait for passionate fans, and Quang Hai continued to shine, guiding the team to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinals—Vietnam's best-ever performance in the tournament—before again excelling on the regional stage.

He was the captain in Kim Sang-sik's squad that won Vietnam's third ASEAN championship two years ago. As the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup kicks off later this month, the Cong An Hanoi midfielder is poised to continue playing a major role in Vietnam's title defense.

First held in 1996, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup will take place from July 24 to August 26 as the tournament celebrates its 30th anniversary.