The V-League 1 is Vietnam’s premier football division, currently ranked 14th in Asia and 7th in the East Asia region. With 28.657 points, it sits just below the Malaysian Super League and above the Thai League 1.
Speaking of which, the Thai League comes in at 4th place in East Asia and 8th in Asia, accumulating 49.546 points. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Super League is ranked 6th in East Asia and 12th across the continent, with a total of 31.331 points to its name.
At the very top of the AFC rankings are Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea. Saudi Arabia leads the way with 103.148 points, followed closely by Japan with 96.999, and South Korea, which has earned 93.600 points.
When we look at the East Asia region in isolation, the top three national tournaments are hosted by Japan, South Korea, and China.
These rankings have direct implications for Vietnam’s participation in the AFC Champions League. For the 2025-26 season, Vietnam will secure one direct slot and a playoff place for local teams in the AFC Champions League Two.
The AFC has recently restructured its Champions League format, now featuring three tiers: the Elite league, League Two, and the Challenge League. Unfortunately, Vietnam won’t be represented in the Elite league this year, as both Hanoi FC and Hai Phong FC were knocked out in the group stage of the 2023-24 season.
In contrast, Malaysia has secured a direct slot in the Elite league, along with a direct entry into League Two. Thailand has also fared well, gaining one direct slot and a playoff place in the Elite league, in addition to a direct entry into League Two.
These rankings showcase the competitive landscape of Asian football and provide a roadmap for Vietnam to improve its standing in the region and on the continent.
Vietnam’s top-flight football league postponed through March
V-League 1, which is Vietnam’s top-flight football tournament, has announced all its upcoming fixtures will be postponed through the end of March, becoming the latest among several other cultural, sporting and entertaiment events canceled or delayed in the country due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic.
Vietnam’s football star joins AFC campaign to fight COVID-19
Vietnamese star striker Nguyen Cong Phuong has joined dozens of footballers from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the ‘Break The Chain’ campaign to raise awareness of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
UK consul general spectates Ho Chi Minh City football derby
British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ian Gibbons and his spouse were among the spectators of a derby of Vietnam’s top-flight professional football tournament V-League 1 last week.
Underdogs Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC hold hosts Saigon FC to rainy draw
Saigon FC and Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC fought to a 1-1 draw in a rainy match in the sixth round of Vietnam’s top-flight professional football tournament V-League 1 in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday evening.
‘Go Saigon, go!’: Foreigners liven up stadium in Vietnamese football league game
A group of friends from the U.S. and Chile made their attendance at a Ho Chi Minh City stadium on Wednesday night singular with their energetic and contagious support for the local football club Saigon FC in a match against rivals Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC.
