AFF Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw: Indonesia to Face Defending Champions Vietnam

Indonesia has been drawn into Group A for the 2026 AFF Cup, where they will face challenging opponents, including defending champions Vietnam. The draw, held in Jakarta, marked the beginning of preparations under the new head coach, John Herdman, who aims to use the tournament as a stepping stone toward the 2027 Asian Cup. After a disappointing performance in the 2025 edition, Indonesia views the 2026 AFF Cup as an opportunity to validate the strategies implemented by PSSI.

Placed in Pot 3, Indonesia is expected to encounter a tough group, drawing top-ranked teams from Pots 1 and 2. Among these is Vietnam, which has shown significant progress under coach Kim Sang-sik, excelling not only at the senior level but also in the U-23 Asian Cup. The team’s improvement presents a formidable challenge for Indonesia as they aim to advance in the competition.

Another challenging opponent for Indonesia is Singapore, a team that has historically provided intense and dramatic matches. The 2026 AFF Cup will feature 11 ASEAN nations, with nine qualifying directly to the group stage and two, Brunei Darussalam and Timor Leste, competing in a preliminary playoff. Indonesia’s performance in this competitive environment will be crucial in assessing both the team’s readiness and Herdman’s coaching impact.

Here are the complete draw results for the 2026 AFF Cup:
· Group A: Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Timor Leste/Brunei Darussalam
· Group B: Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Laos