HANOI, Aug 26 — Fifa President Gianni Infantino and Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will be in the stands at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi to watch the second leg of the Asean Cup 2026 final between Vietnam and Thailand today, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Over the years, Infantino has attended several major football events in South-east Asia. Most recently, in January 2023, he attended the second leg of the AFF (Asean Football Federation) Cup 2022 final between Thailand and Vietnam at Thammasat Stadium in Thailand, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

The Fifa president’s return to watch another final between Vietnam and Thailand reflects the world football governing body’s keen interest in regional competitions, national teams and the development of football in South-east Asia.

The occasion also provides Vietnamese football with an opportunity to showcase the image of a sport that continues to make steady progress, backed by increasingly systematic investment in national teams, youth development, infrastructure and the hosting of international football events.

For the Vietnamese national team, the match at My Dinh National Stadium carries particular significance, as head coach Kim Sang-sik and his players stand on the verge of making history by successfully defending their Asean Cup title.

Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg at Thailand’s Rajamangala Stadium on August 22, thanks to goals from Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai, giving the defending champions a valuable advantage ahead of the decisive home leg. — Bernama-VNA