Awarded the win, Vietnam National Team is ready to enter FIFA top 100

Vietnam’s national team is targeting a victory over Malaysia to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup and rejoin the world’s top 100 rankings by 2026.

Vietnam stands at a crucial moment to conclude the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers with a win against Malaysia in March 2026, while making significant progress toward returning to the FIFA top 100. This match not only decides the ticket to the Asian Cup finals but also measures Vietnam football’s ambition under coach Kim Sang Sik to elevate its status.

According to the latest FIFA rankings released on December 22, Vietnam gained 5.89 points in the final month of 2025, raising their total to 1,189.51 points. This achievement helped Vietnam climb 3 spots, reaching 107th place globally and 19th in Asia. Notably, the gap between Vietnam and Thailand—the leading Southeast Asian team—has narrowed to just 11 ranks, especially as Thailand recently dropped in the FIFA rankings.

Under coach Kim Sang Sik, Vietnam has maintained steady progress. From the lowest rank of 119 in 2024, the “Golden Star Warriors” have steadily improved and are now only about 37 points away from the top 100—a gap realistically bridgeable in 2026.

This prospect looks even brighter given that AFC is almost certain to award Malaysia a 0-3 loss to Vietnam in the first leg of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. If this scenario occurs, Vietnam will regain 13.02 points previously deducted and earn an additional 11.98 points from the win, boosting their total to 1,214.51. This would be a major boost, helping Vietnam strongly approach the FIFA top 100 right before the home leg against Malaysia.

Regarding squad strength, Vietnam holds several advantages over their opponent. While Malaysia faces internal instability, coach Kim Sang Sik’s team benefits from the return of Xuan Son, the addition of naturalized players, and a matured U23 core after major tournaments.

With a packed 2026 schedule including FIFA Days and the ASEAN Cup, Vietnam has many opportunities to accumulate points. Coupled with consistent performance and strong morale, the goal to defeat Malaysia, qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, and rejoin the FIFA top 100 is well within reach.