Vietnam's national football team heads into the 2026 ASEAN Cup group stage with high expectations. The forecast is a 2-0 win over the Philippines, with Dinh Bac and Khoa Ngo expected to score. This isn't just hopeful talk. The difference in recent form and squad value between the two teams is clear.
Vietnam's squad is valued at €6.28 million, or about 190.9 billion Vietnamese dong. That puts them fifth out of the 14 teams in the tournament, according to Transfermarkt. The Philippines come in at €3.93 million (119.5 billion dong), ranking seventh. The gap in squad value shows the difference in quality between the sides.
The opening match of Group B at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is scheduled for September 26, 2026, with Vietnam facing the Philippines at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung.
But numbers don't tell the whole story. Vietnam arrive as defending ASEAN Cup champions. They kept their title in August 2026, as confirmed by regional sports reports. The Philippines, on the other hand, struggled in their last campaign. They lost three group games, including a heavy 4-1 defeat to Myanmar and narrow 1-0 losses to Malaysia and Thailand. Their only win was 4-1 against Laos. The Philippines were knocked out before the knockout rounds. Their failure to reach the semi-finals shows the size of the task they face against Vietnam.
The new 2026 ASEAN Cup format means there's no room for error. The AFC says the tournament now has 14 teams split into two divisions. Division 1 Group B includes Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan. Only the group winner goes straight to the final. There are no semi-finals. Every group match is now a must-win.
Coach Kim Sang Sik leads Vietnam's squad, which mixes experienced players with new faces. He has picked 23 players and brought in two new names-Nguyen Adou Leygley Minh and Williams Minh Hoang-to strengthen the team, according to the ASEAN Football Federation. Newcomers like Ngo Dang Khoa (Khoa Ngo) and Williams Minh Hoang are hungry to prove themselves. Their energy and unpredictability add something extra to the team. This drive, along with the experience of the main squad, is expected to give Vietnam a clear edge over the Philippines.
The Philippines have called up 11 players from Europe and the United States for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, marking a significant recruitment move ahead of their clash with Vietnam. According to VNExpress International, this strategy aims to bolster the squad's competitiveness in a challenging group that also includes Thailand and Pakistan. The official tournament calendar confirms that after facing Vietnam, the Philippines will play Pakistan on September 29, 2026. These roster changes reflect the Philippines' intent to improve on their previous group stage performance.
Vietnam's football ambitions have hit setbacks in other sports, as reported earlier in cue sports, but the national football team's current run in the ASEAN Cup tells a different story. This time, they look strong and confident.
The Philippines are still searching for form. Vietnam's squad is deep and motivated. The 2-0 prediction feels less like a guess and more like the logical outcome. The new tournament format puts pressure on every match. Vietnam's mix of squad value, recent results, and fresh talent makes them clear favourites. If Dinh Bac and Khoa Ngo score as expected, Vietnam will set the pace for their title defence and show the rest of the field they are here to control the 2026 ASEAN Cup.
