Vietnam football team to open AFF Cup 2026 against Timor Leste in Thailand

Vietnam’s national football team will play its opening match of the 2026 AFF Cup against Timor Leste on 24 July at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand. Timor Leste’s federation has selected the Thai venue as its home ground because its own national stadium does not meet competition standards.

Ahead of the tournament, head coach Kim Sang‑sik’s squad has been training in Incheon, South Korea, completing a series of friendlies against K‑League clubs Siheung FC, Yongin FC and Gangwon FC. The team will return to Vietnam on 14 July and hold a final preparatory friendly against Myanmar on 18 July at Thai Nguyen stadium before traveling to Thailand for the tournament opener.

The match will be the first group‑stage fixture for both sides in Group A of the AFF Cup 2026, with Vietnam seeking to defend their title.