The star lineup that missed coach Kim Sang Sik's debut match for Vietnam national team

Coach Kim Sang Sik has announced the list of 27 players of the Vietnam national team preparing to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against the Philippines and Iraq. This is also the debut of the Korean coach after replacing coach Philippe Troussier in the "hot seat" of the Vietnam national team.

The list of the Vietnam National Team includes many familiar faces to fans such as Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Do Duy Manh, Ho Tan Tai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Quang Hai, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Tien Linh, Nguyen Van Toan...

Doi hinh ngoi sao bo lo tran ra mat Dt viet nam cua hlv kim sang sik hinh anh 1 — Star squad misses first training session of Vietnam national team under coach Kim Sang Sik

However, coach Kim Sang Sik has “ignored” the striker who is in very good form in the V-League, Nguyen Van Quyet. The captain of Hanoi FC has scored 4 goals in the last 3 rounds, contributing greatly to helping the capital team rise to 3rd place.

The opportunity to return to the Vietnam national team has not yet opened up for Bui Tien Dung, Tran Dinh Trong, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Luong Xuan Truong or Phan Van Duc, although these stars have shown signs of "revival" in the V-League in recent times.

Coach Kim Sang Sik also cannot have the strongest squad of the Vietnam national team due to injuries. Que Ngoc Hai, Doan Van Hau, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Vo Minh Trong, Nguyen Dinh Bac are all injured at different levels.

In addition, it was revealed that midfielder Nguyen Phong Hong Duy was in coach Kim Sang Sik's plan. However, this "left-footed" player asked to be absent for personal reasons and was approved by the captain of the Vietnam national team.

According to the match schedule, the Vietnam team will host the Philippines team at home at 7:00 p.m. on June 6 and then visit the Iraq team at 1:00 a.m. on June 12 (Hanoi time).