Vietnam's head coach Kim Sang-sik held a press conference in Bandung on September 25, 2026, to discuss the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. He views this tournament as a fresh challenge for Vietnam and aims for the team to adopt a more aggressive playing style compared to recent competitions.

Kim, who has led Vietnam to victory in the last two ASEAN Cups (2024, 2026) and has achieved significant success at the U23 level, including a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games, is eager to continue this trend. He stated, "The achievements we've made belong to the past. I want the Vietnam national team to aim for new challenges with a higher ambition. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is a new platform where everything is fresh, and it presents an opportunity for us to conquer a title right from our first participation."

During the press conference, Kim highlighted the importance of maintaining a solid defensive foundation while increasing offensive efforts. "The team needs to attack more, but we must balance it well with our defense. I always emphasize this requirement to the players since we began preparing for the tournament," he explained.

Vietnam will face several challenges in this tournament, including the absence of key players such as Quang Hải and Văn Hậu due to injuries. However, Kim remains optimistic, stating that the current squad includes the best available players. He mentioned the addition of Adou Minh to the defense and Minh Hoàng to the attack, expressing confidence in their ability to perform well.

Kim also announced the selection of 22-year-old Nguyễn Đình Bắc as the team's vice-captain, aiming to foster responsibility among both experienced and younger players. He noted, "The age of our members is diverse, but what matters is that they can communicate and support each other well as a unit. Đình Bắc is young but has three years of experience with the national team. As vice-captain, he will have more responsibilities and needs to strive even harder."

The FIFA ASEAN Cup is an expanded Southeast Asian tournament organized by FIFA for the first time this year. The tournament runs during the newly established FIFA Days from September 21 to October 6, 2026. Vietnam is set to compete in Group B, facing the Philippines on September 26 and Thailand on September 29, with matches taking place at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium.