Vietnam's national football team has suffered a setback ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026, as defender Duy Manh has been ruled out due to a knee injury. After careful evaluation by the medical team, it was determined that he needs more time to recover fully, prompting the coaching staff to send him back to his club for continued treatment.

Coach Kim Sang-sik met with Duy Manh on July 14 to encourage him during this challenging time. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the player's health and long-term career over immediate participation in the tournament. Duy Manh has been dealing with knee issues even before joining the national team for training, yet he maintained a professional attitude throughout the preparation phase.

During the training camp in South Korea, Duy Manh managed to return to ball training, but assessments indicated that he was not yet at peak physical condition for high-level competition. His absence is particularly significant as it marks the first time since 2016 that he will miss an ASEAN Cup.

In addition to Duy Manh, defender Le Ngoc Bao has also had to withdraw from the team due to a foot injury, further impacting the squad's defensive lineup. Currently, the team consists of 25 players with just ten days left before their first match in the ASEAN Cup.

Coach Kim Sang-sik is likely considering adding new players to strengthen the squad before finalizing the roster. The team is scheduled to play a friendly match against Myanmar on July 18, which will serve as an important warm-up before traveling to Thailand on July 20. Vietnam's opening match in the tournament is set against Timor-Leste on July 24 in Chonburi.