Vietnam arrived in Indonesia on September 23 to begin their final preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, with defender Cao Pendant Quang Vinh underlining the team’s ambition to compete for the title at the inaugural tournament.
After travelling from Hanoi, the Vietnam national team landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon. The squad received a warm welcome from the local organizing committee and was assisted with immigration procedures at a dedicated counter. After completing the necessary formalities, the team continued their journey by bus to Bandung, where Vietnam will play their opening two group-stage matches.
Speaking to FIFA reporters at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to compete in the new tournament. “This is a new tournament and the first time it has been held. We are very excited to take part in this new competition. The tournament is organized by FIFA, so I hope everything will go well and that we will receive a lot of support from fans of all the participating countries,” the defender said.
Vietnam have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Pakistan. Quang Vinh acknowledged the quality of their opponents but made clear that Kim Sang-sik’s side will aim to finish at the top of the group. “It is a difficult group. They have good players. We will give everything we have to compete for first place,” he said. The defender also stressed that Vietnam are travelling to Indonesia with ambitions extending beyond simply progressing from the group stage. “Our expectation is always to win our matches. We want to win the tournament. The whole team is very ambitious, so we will do everything we can to become champions.”
Vietnam Football Federation Vice President Tran Anh Tu has once again been appointed head of the Vietnam delegation for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. His appointment was made under the assignment of the VFF Executive Committee’s Standing Board as the national team begins its campaign in Indonesia.
Vietnam will open their tournament against the Philippines on September 26 before facing regional rivals Thailand on September 29, with both matches taking place at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung. The team will then return to Jakarta for their final group-stage fixture against Pakistan on October 2.
VSN/RPT
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