Thai media wants their team to reclaim the AFF Cup crown from Vietnam.

Thai press urges the home team to beat Vietnam to regain the 2026 AFF Cup championship.

Against this backdrop, the Vietnam national team is actively preparing for its journey to defend the 2026 AFF Cup throne,Thai media is also paying close attention to the region's biggest tournament. Many articles in the Land of Smiles have stressed the key objective for the Thai team: to reclaim the Southeast Asian championship from the squad led by coach Kim Sang Sik.

Vietnam enters the 2026 AFF Cup as the reigning champion. The 28-player squad called up for the latest training camp shows a blend of experience and youth, along with considerable squad depth. Moreover, coach Kim Sang Sik's side benefits from the V-League taking a break during the tournament, allowing the team to field its strongest lineup.

Meanwhile, the Thai team faces certain personnel difficulties. The 2026 AFF Cup falls outside the FIFA Days schedule, allowing clubs to refuse releasing players for the national team. This is a key concern for Thai media, as many key figures of the "War Elephants" currently play in the Thai League as well as overseas leagues.

Siam Sport newspaper commented: "The 2026 AFF Cup is held outside the FIFA Days (the period when FIFA permits teams worldwide to freely call up players from clubs for international duty), so Thai clubs have the right to withhold their players from the national team." The same paper further expressed worries about the possible absence of many stars, writing: "Thai players abroad will almost certainly be unable to return to wear the national shirt. However, despite the squad difficulties, the Thai team must focus on winning the title."

According to Siam Sport, the mission to win is not just about the trophy but also a chance for Thailand to regain fans' trust after losing the Southeast Asian crown to Vietnam in the most recent edition. The "War Elephants" remain the most successful team in AFF Cup history with seven titles, but the gap with rivals has been narrowing in recent years.

In the 2026 AFF Cup, Vietnam is in Group A alongside Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste. Meanwhile, Thailand is in Group B with Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. If both teams advance through the group stage and go deep into the tournament, fans can look forward to a high-stakes clash between Southeast Asia's two leading powers in the race for the regional championship.