The ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled to run from July 24 to August 26, bringing together 10 teams from Southeast Asia. Vietnam enters the tournament as the reigning champions, aiming to defend their title. The competition format consists of a single round-robin group stage, where each team will play two home and two away matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, followed by home-and-away matches to determine the finalists.

Vietnam's first match will be held on July 24 against Timor Leste, taking place at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand. Although listed as the away team, this match is crucial for Vietnam to secure three points early in the tournament. Following this, Vietnam will return to My Dinh Stadium to host Singapore on July 31, a match that holds significant importance for the team's aspirations.

On August 3, Vietnam will face Indonesia at Pakansari Stadium, a match anticipated to be a key battle for the top spot in Group A. Indonesia has been gaining strength with a robust lineup, making them a formidable opponent. The group stage will conclude with Vietnam hosting Cambodia on August 7, where a favorable outcome could solidify their path to the semifinals.

Group A also features Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia, while Group B includes Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. The competition is expected to be fierce, with Thailand and Malaysia viewed as strong contenders in their group.

The semifinals are set for August 15 and 16, with the return legs on August 18 and 19. The final will take place on August 22 and 26, determining the champion of the ASEAN Cup 2026. As the defending champions, Vietnam is considered one of the top favorites, but they will face stiff competition from rising teams like Indonesia and seasoned rivals such as Malaysia and the Philippines.