The Vietnamese national football team has announced that key defender Do Duy Manh will not participate in the upcoming AFF Cup 2026 due to a knee injury. Head coach Kim Sang Sik received the unfortunate news as the team prepares for the tournament.

After thorough monitoring by the medical staff, the coaching team decided that Duy Manh would return to his club, Hanoi FC, to continue his recovery. This decision means he will miss the official roster for the AFF Cup 2026. The medical team emphasized that continuing to train and play at this time poses significant risks of re-injury, which could jeopardize Duy Manh's long-term career.

Despite his injury, Duy Manh exhibited a commendable professional spirit during training, especially during the training camp in South Korea, where he worked diligently on his rehabilitation. He even managed to engage with the ball under close supervision from the medical staff. However, the final assessment revealed that he had not yet reached the physical condition required for the intense matches ahead.

In an emotional farewell, Coach Kim Sang Sik took time to encourage Duy Manh to remain committed to his recovery, expressing hopes for his return to the national team in future gatherings. Duy Manh's absence, coupled with the earlier injury of defender Le Ngoc Bao, presents a challenging situation for Coach Kim as he seeks to ensure depth in the squad for the AFF Cup 2026.

Despite these setbacks, fans remain hopeful for the team's thorough preparation and unity as they aim for success in the tournament. This is not only a moment for the players to demonstrate their fighting spirit but also an opportunity for new faces to prove their mettle as they strive for a remarkable AFF Cup experience.

Ticket sales for Vietnam's home matches in the group stage of the AFF Cup 2026 against Singapore on July 31 and Cambodia on August 7 will be held at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.