Vietnam national team urgently adds Khoa Ngô for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

On the evening of September 19, CLB CA TP.HCM confirmed that midfielder Ngô Đăng Khoa has been added to Vietnam's squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The announcement came less than 24 hours after the VFF published the 23-player list. Khoa Ngô previously withdrew from a national team call-up due to injury. He will have only three to four training sessions before the team flies to Indonesia on September 23. Vietnam face the Philippines on September 26, Thailand on September 29, and Pakistan on October 2. The group winner advances directly to the final. This urgent call-up reflects the need for midfield rotation during three matches in seven days. Khoa Ngô is a depth option, not a guaranteed starter. The squad contains five overseas Vietnamese players, four of whom play for CA TP.HCM. The club has built a structured diaspora recruitment pipeline. The most important match is Thailand on September 29, effectively an early final with no semifinal safety net. Selection decisions will be tested by results.