How FIFA transfer ban could affect Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi FC

The FIFA sanction took effect on Tuesday, after the club were found to have violated several regulations of the world’s football governing body.

The ban means Cong An Ha Noi cannot register new Vietnamese or foreign players or even promote youth team members to the senior squad during the three affected transfer windows.

According to FIFA, AFC member associations generally have two transfer windows each year.

In 2026, the windows run from January 25 to March 17 and from August 1 to September 30.

The next window is scheduled for January 25 to March 15, 2027, followed by another window expected between August and September 2027, although its exact dates have yet to be determined.

If Cong An Ha Noi fail to overturn the sanction through an appeal to FIFA, the ban is expected to end around late September next year.

The timing could create significant problems because transfer windows are typically used by clubs to strengthen their squads before or during a season.

If players are injured or their contracts expire, Cong An Ha Noi will not be able to sign replacements or renew contracts with existing players in a way that allows them to be registered for the relevant period.

The club currently have around 30 players registered in FIFA's system and may have to maintain roughly the same squad size through the end of the 2027 summer transfer window.

During that period, coach Alexandre Polking's men are scheduled to compete in four tournaments, including the V-League 1, the Vietnamese National Cup, the AFC Champions League Elite, and the ASEAN Club Championship.

When certain players have already signed contracts with the club but they cannot be registered with FIFA, Cong An Ha Noi could also face the financial burden of paying salaries to those players who are unable to play.

Another issue could arise when contracts of key players expire during the prohibition.

If the club retain such players, they may be unable to register them for the next competition period.

If the side allow the players to leave, however, the club would lose squad members without being able to sign their replacements.

The immediate concern is the potential impact on the club's results.

Without the ability to strengthen or replace their squad, Cong An Ha Noi will face a challenge in maintaining their position among Vietnam's leading clubs through the remainder of the ban.

The club have not publicly explained the reason for FIFA's sanction.

They are expected to pursue an appeal to FIFA in an effort to reduce the impact of the ban.

This is not the first disciplinary case involving Cong An Ha Noi and an international football governing body.

Early this year, the AFC penalized the club with a 0-3 loss to Tampines Rovers in the AFC Champions League Two after they fielded an ineligible player.

Cong An Ha Noi inherited the slot of Cong An Nhan Dan FC to enter the V-League 1 in 2023.

The club received substantial investment and won the Vietnamese top-flight title in their debut season.

With a squad featuring prominent foreign players and national team stars, the club quickly became a powerhouse, winning multiple domestic titles and representing Vietnam in continental competitions.