FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Vietnam could get major boost from 3 new overseas-based players

Vietnam defeated Thailand 4-2 on aggregate in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, but the FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 24 to October 3, is expected to pose a tougher challenge as regional rivals can field their strongest squads.

With regional heavyweights Thailand and Indonesia expected to field their strongest squads, coach Kim Sang Sik will need more tactical options to keep Vietnam at the top of Southeast Asian football.

Reinforcing the defense

Vietnam’s defense remains an area for improvement ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, with newly naturalized center-back Nguyen Adou Leygley Minh emerging as a potential reinforcement.

Vietnam conceded just one goal in the ASEAN Cup group stage and kept clean sheets in both semifinals and the first leg of the final.

However, defensive weaknesses were exposed in the 2-2 second-leg draw against Thailand at My Dinh National Stadium, where the visitors also missed a penalty.

Improving the defense is therefore one of the issues Kim will need to address ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

With Do Duy Manh still sidelined by injury, the South Korean coach will have to look for another quality center-back.

Fortunately for him, French-Vietnamese defender Nguyen Adou Leygley Minh has recently obtained Vietnamese citizenship and is now an option.

Despite standing only 1.78 meters tall, Adou Minh is strong in aerial duels and physical challenges.

One of his standout performances came in Hanoi Police FC's playoff against Australian hosts Adelaide United on August 11 for a place in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite group stage.

The 29-year-old center-back impressed as Hanoi Police FC secured a 2-0 victory.

Adou Minh also delivered a strong performance in the 2026 Vietnamese National Super Cup against Ho Chi Minh City Police FC at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on Sunday night, helping Hanoi Police FC cruise to a 5-0 win.

More options in attack

Despite their prolific scoring at the ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam may need greater attacking variety for the tougher FIFA ASEAN Cup, with Khoa Ngo and Williams Minh Hoang emerging as promising additions.

Vietnam scored 21 goals in eight matches at the ASEAN Cup, with Nguyen Dinh Bac and naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son sharing the Golden Boot with five goals each.

However, the FIFA ASEAN Cup will be far more competitive than the ASEAN Cup, as teams can field their strongest squads and only the group winners will advance to the final.

Coach Kim Sang Sik will therefore need to refresh Vietnam’s attack and develop more offensive options to avoid becoming predictable against Thailand and other opponents.

Two young overseas Vietnamese forwards, Ngo Dang Khoa, also known as Khoa Ngo, from Australia, and Williams Minh Hoang from England, could be ideal additions.

Khoa Ngo would have featured at the ASEAN Cup 2026 had an injury not forced him to withdraw from the Vietnam squad before the tournament.

Blessed with excellent individual technique and an eye for goal, the 20-year-old could provide a major attacking threat on the flank.

Williams Minh Hoang, meanwhile, has only recently obtained Vietnamese citizenship and could be another exciting newcomer to the national team.

At 1.90 meters tall, the 19-year-old is a center-forward who could provide cover for naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son.

Last season, Williams Minh Hoang scored eight goals in 20 appearances for Ho Chi Minh City Police FC across the V-League and Vietnamese National Cup.

He made little impact in the 2026 National Super Cup against a much stronger Hanoi Police FC side, but his ability remains evident enough for Kim to consider giving him an opportunity.

Olaha Manh Duc not yet eligible

Nigerian-born striker Olaha Manh Duc will not be eligible to represent Vietnam at the FIFA ASEAN Cup despite having obtained Vietnamese citizenship.

He has yet to meet FIFA's five-year residency requirement.

The 1.86-meter-tall player can operate both in attack and midfield and could become an option for Vietnam at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia if selected by Kim.