Vietnamese capital's clash initiates National Cup's theatrical battle
The football season in Vietnam is heating up as the 2025-26 National Cup is set to commence on September 13, 2025. This knockout tournament will see 26 teams from V.League 1 and V.League 2 battle it out for the prestigious title, with a total of 156 matches scheduled.
Six top-tier teams - Ha Noi Police, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, Song Lam Nghieu An, Hai Phong FC, HCM City Police, and PVF-CAND - have received byes into the second round, skipping the first round entirely. The remaining teams will compete in the first round, with some exciting matchups on the horizon.
One such match is between Thể Công Viettel and Ha Noi FC, two teams that have been consistent title contenders in recent years. The winner of this clash will face Ha Noi Police in the second round. Another all-V.League 1 clash is the match between Thanh Hoa and Hoang Anh Gia Lai, with the winner progressing to face PVF-CAND in the second round.
The 2025-26 National Cup will follow a single-elimination format, meaning a strong contender may be eliminated early. To ensure fair play, Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used selectively in high-profile matches.
Each club can register one foreign player, one naturalized player, and two overseas Vietnamese players to strengthen their squads. The winners of the National Cup will receive VNĐ2 billion and the opportunity to represent Vietnam at the ASEAN Clubs Cup 2026-27. The runners-up will receive VNĐ1 billion, while the bottom two teams will be relegated to the Second Division.
The V.League 1 and V.League 2 formats differ from the cup. These leagues use a double round-robin league system where teams accumulate points to determine standings, promotion, and relegation across their seasons. The V.League 1 season runs from mid-August 2025 to mid-June 2026, featuring 14 teams, while the V.League 2 season, consisting of 13 teams, begins on September 19, 2025, and ends on June 20, 2026.
All fixtures of the 2025-26 National Cup will be broadcast live across FPT Play's multi-platform network, ensuring fans can follow the action from anywhere. With the tournament set to kick off soon, football fans in Vietnam are eagerly awaiting the thrilling matches ahead.
| Aspect | Details | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | National Cup (2025–26) | Starts Sep 13, 2025 – Jun 28, 2026; knockout format with 26 teams; byes for 6 clubs | | Prize | VNĐ2 billion + ASEAN Clubs Cup qualification | | Player Registration Rules | 1 foreign player + 1 naturalized + 2 overseas Vietnamese players | | VAR | Used selectively in high-profile matches | | Broadcast | Live on FPT Play platforms | | Related V.League 1 & 2 | V.League 1 has 14 teams, double round-robin league format from Aug 15, 2025 to Jun 18, 2026| | V.League 2 | 13 teams, double round-robin from Sep 19, 2025 to Jun 20, 2026 |
- The integration of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the 2025-26 National Cup aims to maintain fair play amidst intense competition, particularly in high-profile matches.
- In the struggle for dominance on Vietnam's football scene, teams must consider not only their performance in the leagues but also the National Cup, where winning could lead to representing Vietnam at the ASEAN Clubs Cup 2026-27.
- Advancements in technology have played a significant role in modern sports, such as the employing of AI and data analysis tools, making strategy and decision-making more effective, thereby enhancing the competitiveness in sports tournaments like the 2025-26 National Cup.
