AFC Schedule Changed, Vietnamese Media Assesses This Benefits the Indonesian National Team at the 2026 AFF Cup.

Changes to the schedule of Asian inter-club competitions for the 2026/2027 season have sparked debate. Vietnamese media assess that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)'s decision benefits the Indonesian National Team who are currently competing in the 2026 AFF Cup, while Vietnam is faced with a far more difficult situation.

The AFC had previously adjusted the schedules for three major Asian inter-club competitions. These three tournaments are the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, and the AFC Challenge League.

One of the most notable changes is the postponement of the AFC Champions League Elite qualifying match between Persib Bandung and Manila Digger, which was originally scheduled for 11-12 August, being pushed back to 31 August.

Vietnamese news outlet Soha stated that this decision comes as welcome relief for the Indonesian National Team. With no more conflicting schedules, Persib Bandung players will be able to remain with the Garuda squad for the 2026 AFF Cup without being required to return early for club duties.

"With this schedule adjustment, Indonesian national team players contracted to Persib Bandung can stay on international duty for the 2026 AFF Cup without worrying about clashes with their club fixtures," wrote Soha.

This situation is even more advantageous for Indonesia as Persib is the club that provides the most players to the national team squad. Head coach John Herdman has called up seven Maung Bandung players: Sandy Walsh, Beckham Putra, Eliano Reijnders, Saddil Ramdani, Thom Haye, Marc Klok, and Ragnar Oratmangoen.

The impact of these Persib players was immediately apparent in Indonesia's opening Group A match at the 2026 AFF Cup, when Indonesia secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Cambodia.

Five Persib players were named in the starting line-up for that match. Sandy Walsh scored one goal, Thom Haye recorded three assists, while Eliano Reijnders notched one assist.

Soha meanwhile judged that Vietnam is in an unfavourable position, as the fixture dates for their representative club in the Asian competitions have not been adjusted.

"Unlike Indonesia, the Vietnamese National Team will be without a number of their players due to scheduling conflicts with AFC Champions League qualifying matches," wrote Soha.

 Vietnam's representative club CAHN FC are scheduled to face Adelaide United in their AFC Champions League Elite qualifying fixture on 11 August. Filip Nguyen, Din Trong, and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh have been confirmed as unavailable for Vietnam at the 2026 AFF Cup, as they will remain on club duty with CAHN FC.

This match carries high stakes for CAHN FC. Should they defeat Adelaide United, CAHN FC will progress to the group stage of the AFC Champions League Elite. 

Conversely, a defeat will see them drop down to Asia's second tier club competition, the AFC Champions League Two.