FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General Mattias Grafström will be in the stands at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi to watch the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final between Vietnam and Thailand on August 26, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (2nd, L) hugs Tran Quoc Tuan, President of Vietnam Football Federation, atat the AFF Cup 2022 award ceremony in Thammasat Stadium, Thailand, on Jan. 17, 2023.

Over the years, Infantino has attended a number of major football events in Southeast Asia. Most recently, in January 2023, he attended the second leg of the AFF (ASEAN Football Federation) Cup 2022 final between Thailand and Vietnam at Thammasat Stadium in Thailand.

The FIFA President’s return to watch a final between Vietnam and Thailand once again reflects the world football governing body’s keen interest in regional competitions, national teams and the development of football in Southeast Asia.

The occasion also provides Vietnamese football with an opportunity to showcase the image of a sport that continues to make steady progress, backed by increasingly systematic investment in national teams, youth development, infrastructure and the hosting of international football events.

For the Vietnamese national team, the match at My Dinh National Stadium carries particular significance as head coach Kim Sang-sik and his players stand on the verge of making history by successfully defending their ASEAN Cup title.

Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg at Rajamangala Stadium of Thailand on August 22, thanks to goals from Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai, giving the defending champions a valuable advantage ahead of the decisive home leg.

Asian media praise Vietnam’s impressive ASEAN Cup group stage performance

“The defending champions topped the group with their third win in four group matches, finishing two points ahead of the Singaporeans, who took second place with eight points, one ahead of Indonesia,” the AFC website reported.

ASEAN Cup 2026: Vietnam advance to semi-finals as Group A winners

Securing all three points, coach Kim Sang-sik and his squad finished atop Group A with 10 points (three wins, one draw).

Vietnam rout Indonesia to put one foot in ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-finals

The emphatic away win at Pakansari Stadium lifted Vietnam to the top of Group A with seven points from three matches.

ASEAN Cup official website backs Vietnam ahead of title defence campaign

As the reigning champions and with a squad widely regarded as possessing greater depth than the one that lifted the trophy in 2024, Vietnam now has the opportunity to make history by becoming the first team ever to successfully defend the ASEAN Cup title in 2026.

Vietnamese athlete Duong Thuy Vi wins first Taolu World Cup gold

The gold medal came a day after the Vietnamese veteran won bronze in the women’s jianshu event, meaning she completed the tournament with medals in both of her signature disciplines.