Vietnam's team is ready to defend their ASEAN Cup title.

The Vietnamese team is actively training in South Korea and finalizing preparations for their goal of defending the championship at the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

The training camp in South Korea from July 2 to 14 is seen as a crucial period for coach Kim Sang-sik to refine the squad and review tactical plans. Through three friendly matches, naturalized players also have the chance to demonstrate their integration and coordination with teammates. Competing against representatives from various divisions of South Korean football also helps the coaching staff evaluate each player's adaptability to different playing styles.

The maturation of many young players and the emergence of quality naturalized additions are creating fierce competition for positions in the Vietnam national team lineup.

The focus of this gathering is on the position of goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang, who has dual Vietnamese-Slovak heritage. Completing the legal procedures for a goalkeeper who has proven his class in European football to wear the national team jersey is not only a milestone for him personally but also reflects Vietnam Football's open and flexible mindset in attracting talent.

A challenge facing the Vietnam coaching staff at the moment is the injuries of some key players such as Đỗ Duy Mạnh, Nguyễn Thành Chung, Khuất Văn Khang, and Ngô Đăng Khoa. Fortunately, these are only minor injuries, and the coaching staff have already made plans to ensure these players regain their best form before the official tournament.

The training period in South Korea is also considered an important phase for the coaching staff to continue reviewing the squad, assessing player form, and finalizing tactical options before the team returns home.

After concluding the training camp in the land of kimchi, Vietnam's team will return home on July 14 to complete preparations for their journey to defend the ASEAN Cup title.

According to the plan, on July 18, Vietnam will play their only international friendly during the FIFA Days against Myanmar at Thái Nguyên Stadium (Thái Nguyên Province).

In the 2026 ASEAN Cup, the Vietnam national team is in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste. According to the schedule, coach Kim Sang-sik's side will face Timor-Leste in their opening match on July 24.

The Football Federation of Timor-Leste (FFTL) has officially confirmed the use of Chonburi Stadium (Thailand) as their home venue for the group stage matches of the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Previously, because Timor-Leste's national stadium did not meet competition standards, FFTL often relied on neutral venues in the region to serve as their home ground.

Just ahead of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, they have been actively contacting federations in Southeast Asia to "borrow" a stadium, including Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur Stadium was also where Timor-Leste played two playoff matches against Brunei back in June.

Timor-Leste is not a strong opponent and will play on a neutral ground, so the opening match promises to be a winning start for coach Kim Sang-sik's squad. Thailand is also a place associated with the sweet memory of winning the ASEAN Cup for coach Kim Sang-sik and his players.

The goal of coach Kim Sang-sik and his team is to successfully defend the Southeast Asian championship, amid anticipated fierce competition from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

In addition to the goal of defending the title, the 2026 ASEAN Cup serves as a foundation for coach Kim Sang-sik to further refine the squad's core, aiming for bigger objectives on the Asian stage in the coming period.