Vietnam News

Thursday, July 24, 2025, 09:39 GMT+7

Vietnam’s top-tier football league faces uncertainty amid club withdrawal; lower divisions also in turmoil

Vietnam’s V.League 1, the country’s top professional football division, is facing disruption ahead of the 2025–26 season after Quang Nam FC announced they would withdraw, while multiple clubs in lower leagues are also struggling to secure their futures.

Vietnam’s top-tier football league faces uncertainty amid club withdrawal; lower divisions also in turmoil

Quang Nam FC play to a 1-1 draw against SHB Da Nang in the 2025 Thien Long friendly tournament at Tam Ky Stadium in Da Nang City, central Vietnam, July 20, 2025. Photo: Thien Long

Quang Nam’s players were informed on Monday that the club would dissolve themselves and not participate in the upcoming V.League 1 season.

The club have suspended training and pulled out of a local friendly tournament.

On Tuesday, Quang Nam proposed two options: either securing new sponsorship from local businesses to continue competing in V.League 1 or transferring the entire squad to SHB Da Nang FC if funding cannot be found.

The club’s final decision is pending guidance from Da Nang City officials, who now oversee both teams following the recent administrative amalgamation of old Quang Nam Province into Da Nang.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) said they have yet to receive an official withdrawal notice from Quang Nam but are preparing contingency plans as the league’s August 15 start date approaches.

If Quang Nam formally withdraw, the top division shrinks to 13 teams, forcing a potential overhaul of the schedule, which was drawn up on July 14.

VPF would either promote a club from the second tier that meets league requirements or proceed with a reduced league, pending VFF’s approval.

There is debate over which club should fill the vacancy.

Suggestions include Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc FC—likely to be renamed Truong Tuoi Dong Nai—who finished as runners-up in the 2024–25 V.League 2 but lost a promotion play-off to SHB Da Nang, or now known as Quy Nhon Binh Dinh FC, which were relegated after the 2024–25 season.

V.League 1 is Vietnam’s top professional football league, followed by the second-tier V.League 2 and a third division.

The second-tier V.League 2 is also unstable, with several clubs uncertain about participating in the 2025–26 season.

The league currently features 14 clubs, but this may change amid financial struggles.

Following the administrative merger of Binh Phuoc Province and Dong Nai Province, Dong Nai’s leadership proposed that Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc take over the dissolved Dong Nai FC, which have largely disbanded after player and coaching contracts expired.

Khanh Hoa FC’s participation is uncertain after their main sponsor, Khatoco, returned the club to provincial authorities to find new backing.

Long An, Dong Thap, and Ho Chi Minh City Youth teams also face questions over funding and player retention.

Long An narrowly avoided withdrawal last season with financial help from a bank and player loans from Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC.

However, that support already ended, leaving Long An with a small local squad and unclear financial prospects.

The club are also considering a name change after Long An’s merger with Tay Ninh Province, which has a team playing in the country’s third division.

Ho Chi Minh City Youth have parted ways with their players and coach, with no clear plans for renewal.

Meanwhile, Dong Thap FC postponed preseason training to early August, awaiting clarity on sponsorship after last season’s backing by Van Hien University, which now has its own team newly promoted to V.League 2.

VFF and VPF said they cannot comment on specific contingency measures for now.

VPF added that its technical department has prepared multiple scenarios regarding league size and schedule changes to avoid disruption.

Once formal notices are received, VPF will consult VFF before announcing their official decisions.

Bao Anh - Nguyen Khoi / Tuoi Tre News

Comment (0)
thông tin tài khoản
(Tuoitre News gives priority to approving comments from registered members.)
Most Popular Latest Give stars to members