Why experts think Vietnam leads Southeast Asia's charge to World Cup 2030

Three weeks ago, Infantino announced that FIFA is evaluating a 64-team format for the 2030 edition, with a final decision expected by September.

While the project has faced internal political hurdles, the support from smaller footballing nations is overwhelming.

This expansion could see the AFC's allocation jump to 10-12 slots. 

For the powerhouses of Southeast Asian football—Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia—the message is clear: the path to the World Cup may soon become more accessible than ever.

Why Vietnam stands out

According to Thai newspaper Thairath, one of Thailand's most respected football figures, Witthaya Laohakul, has said the country remains a long way from becoming a FIFA World Cup co-host and has little chance of qualifying for the tournament itself.

Speaking to the GoodDayPodcast YouTube channel on August 1, the 72-year-old Thai football legend, better known as 'Coach Heng,' said Thailand had yet to move beyond the Southeast Asian level.

"Other countries are far more developed than we are. Just look at our neighbors like Singapore and Vietnam. Vietnam has a world-class training center," he said when asked about Thailand's chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

"We keep saying we've moved beyond Southeast Asia, but we haven't moved beyond anything. We're standing still. Moving beyond the region means having a proper youth development structure that complies with AFC requirements. Even club licensing in the Thai League—many clubs simply put it together themselves. It doesn't really exist."

'Coach Heng' was equally pessimistic about Thailand's prospects of co-hosting an expanded 64-team World Cup. 

"No. If Thailand wants to be a host, there are many requirements that have to be met," he said.

Witthaya Laohakul's sentiment is echoed by Portuguese football expert Luis Viegas, an assistant coach who has worked extensively in both Thailand and Vietnam.

Viegas describes Vietnam's footballing depth as "comprehensive," noting that the nation's football system is not built on a few individual stars but on a modern academy network that stands at the top of the region.

"I understand how strong the desire for the World Cup is in Vietnam," Viegas told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper. 

"Your football foundation has depth and is capable of competing for qualification in 2030, 2034, and beyond."

ASEAN Championship: the 2030 lab

The ongoing 2026 ASEAN Championship, running from July 24 to August 26, is serving as the first true litmus test for the regional football's ambitions.

While Indonesia has taken an aggressive route through a massive naturalization program—recently adding Australian-born Mitch Baker and Luke Vickery to their ranks—the results remain a work in progress.

Under John Herdman, the English tactician who took Canada to their first World Cup in 36 years, Indonesia is desperate to transform its recent Asian Cup momentum into a place at the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Vietnam's Kim Sang-sik has made the World Cup dream the centerpiece of his project.

Having represented South Korea at the 2006 World Cup, Kim is instilling a belief in his squad that they no longer need to be mere spectators.

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Indonesia advanced the furthest, reaching the fourth round, while Vietnam was eliminated in the second round.

But the outcome of a single qualifying campaign is not enough to determine the overall depth of a country's football development, according to both Laohakul and Viegas.

With the ASEAN Championship approaching the semifinals, the trophy is only part of the prize.

For these nations, every match is a dress rehearsal for a 64-team World Cup where Southeast Asia might finally earn its place on football's biggest stage.