The Vietnamese national football team, under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, arrived in Jakarta on September 23 to prepare for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Following a day of training in Hanoi, the squad embarked on a four-hour flight from Noi Bai International Airport to Indonesia.

Upon arrival, players Nguyen Tai Loc and Do Hoang Hen were among the first to collect their luggage and took a moment to enjoy coffee while waiting for their teammates. The team also included key players like Nguyen Xuan Son and Le Giang Patrik, who were instrumental in their recent ASEAN Cup victory. However, new recruit Khoa Ngo was unable to join due to an injury.

Coach Kim Sang-sik maintained his usual casual demeanor, bringing along his laptop and documents to utilize his time for research during the flight. This trip marks his return to Vietnam after attending his father's funeral in South Korea.

Security personnel were deployed at the luggage claim area and the arrival hall to ensure the safety of the defending ASEAN Cup champions. The FIFA ASEAN Cup organizers prepared a welcome area for the Vietnamese team and the media.

Midfielder Vo Hoang Minh Khoa has been called up to replace the injured Nguyen Quang Hai, flying directly from Ho Chi Minh City to join the squad, albeit without a uniform. Players Dinh Bac and Thanh Long appeared fatigued after the long journey but are considered vital for the team's success.

The team has now boarded a bus for a 160 km journey to Bandung, where the group stage matches will take place. The logistics team has arranged meals for the players to eat on the way.

Left-back Cao Pendant Quang Vinh expressed his excitement about participating in a major tournament for the first time. Having been called up to the national team in June 2025, he has played five matches in the qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup. Quang Vinh emphasized the team's understanding of the high expectations from fans, stating, "This is a significant tournament organized by FIFA, and we are eager to compete. Vietnam has won the ASEAN Cup in the last two editions, so we are determined to win this new tournament as well."

The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place during an extended FIFA Days window from September 21 to October 6. Eleven Southeast Asian teams, along with three invited teams from Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, will compete in two divisions. The top eight teams will play in Indonesia, while the six teams in the second division will compete in Hong Kong. Each team will play in a round-robin format, and the winners of each group will meet in the finals. Additionally, the two second-placed teams in the first division will compete for third place.