Vietnam has officially identified its opponents for the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, as the team is set to compete in Group B with Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. This tournament is notable as it will feature 14 teams participating for the first time, with 11 teams from Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Timor Leste, and Brunei, alongside three invited teams: India, Hong Kong, and Pakistan.

In the FIFA world rankings, Thailand holds the highest position at 94, followed by Vietnam at 99, Indonesia at 118, and the Philippines at 135. However, it is important to note that the group placements were determined randomly rather than based on rankings, with the aim of enhancing competition by mixing invited teams from different regions.

Indonesia, as the host of Group A, will compete alongside India, Malaysia, and Singapore. Meanwhile, Vietnam will face challenges from Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan in Group B. Pakistan, considered the weakest team in this group, is participating in an international tournament outside its region for the first time, aside from World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers.

Thailand is expected to field its strongest squad, while the Philippines boasts several players of mixed heritage who are currently playing in Europe, posing significant challenges for Vietnam's coach Kim Sang-sik and his team.

The inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place during the newly extended FIFA Days from September 24 to October 3, 2026. The tournament will feature a round-robin format, with the top team from each group advancing to the finals, while the second-placed teams will compete for third place. Each team is expected to play a minimum of two and a maximum of four matches within the 15-day tournament period.

This new structure aims to increase competitiveness and improve the quality of play by allowing teams of similar skill levels to face each other more frequently, thus reducing large disparities in match outcomes. Additionally, this format encourages teams to maintain their positions or aim for promotion in future seasons.

Football federations are currently initiating registration procedures according to guidelines to prepare for the tournament. Each team is expected to register a preliminary squad of at least 35 and a maximum of 55 players, including at least four goalkeepers. The alignment of the tournament with FIFA Days is expected to attract the strongest line-ups from participating teams, enhancing the overall quality of the matches.