Vietnam and Singapore to Clash in ASEAN Championship 2026 Draw

The 2026 ASEAN Championship group draw places defending champions Vietnam against Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and either Brunei or Timor-Leste in Group A. Thailand, the seven-time titleholders, will compete in Group B with Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. The tournament starts on July 24 with the finals in August.

The much-anticipated draw for the 2026 ASEAN Championship has set the stage for a thrilling tournament, with defending champions Vietnam pitted against formidable opponents Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and either Brunei or Timor-Leste in Group A. The draw took place in Jakarta on Thursday, promising competitive and intense matchups.

Thailand, the record seven-time champions who fell to Vietnam in the 2024 final, will spearhead Group B. They are set to face off against 2010 victors Malaysia, alongside the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos. Thailand's coach Anthony Hudson expressed optimism following the draw, acknowledging the challenging nature of the tournament but highlighting his contentment with the group's composition.

The tournament will commence on July 24, following a June playoff between Timor-Leste and Brunei to finalize Group A's lineup. The competition format dictates a home-or-away setup for matches until August 8. Semi-final matches are scheduled for August 15, 16, 18, and 19, with the two-leg final slated for August 23 and 26.

(With inputs from agencies.)