On 9/7, seven V-League teams proposed using all four foreign players on the field at all times, instead of the current three-plus-one substitute rule. The group included Nam Dinh, Ha Noi FC, Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN), The Cong, Hai Phong, Ha Tinh, and Da Nang. Later, three more teams—Thanh Hoa, SLNA, and Ninh Binh—submitted similar proposals.

However, three days later, at least three of those teams reversed their decision. The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), the V-League organizer, compiled the feedback and submitted a report to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for review.

Ha Noi FC (in purple) lost 0-3 to Nam Dinh in round 21 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hang Day Stadium on the evening of 4/5/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong

In some foreign leagues, such as the English Premier League, a rule change requires approval from at least 14 of 20 teams, or 70%. This percentage doesn't apply to the V-League. The final decision rests with the 17-member Executive Committee of the 9th VFF Congress, which includes six representatives from the 2025-2026 V-League.

Following an evaluation, the VFF upheld the current rule, allowing three foreign players on the field at any given time, with one substitute. This aims to maintain balance among teams with varying financial resources.

This afternoon, at the draw ceremony for the 2025-2026 V-League schedule held at the VFF headquarters in Hanoi, representatives from all 14 teams present voiced no further opinions on the foreign player quota.

Related regulations from the VFF Executive Committee meeting in March also remain unchanged. Nam Dinh and CAHN can register a maximum of seven foreign players. However, only four can participate in each match: three on the field and one substitute. This exception is due to their participation in the AFC Champions League Two, which has no foreign player limit, and the Southeast Asian Club Cup, which allows a maximum of seven foreign players.

Each V-League team can also register two overseas Vietnamese players without Vietnamese citizenship and one naturalized player of foreign origin, like Nguyen Xuan Son.

The schedule for the first round of the 2025-2026 V-League. Photo: VPF

In addition to the foreign player quota, the V-League increased the number of direct relegation spots from 1.5 to 2 and the number of VAR vehicles from four to five. Three clubs changed their names: Binh Duong became CLB TP HCM, CLB TP HCM became Cong An TP HCM, and Phu Dong Ninh Binh became Ninh Binh FC.

VFF Vice President and VPF President Tran Anh Tu stated that the organizers support teams competing in continental tournaments by adjusting the schedule accordingly. The VFF also reminded referees to avoid overusing VAR, which can cause lengthy interruptions.

The 2025-2026 V-League is scheduled to kick off on 15/8. The seven opening-round matches are: reigning champions Nam Dinh hosting Hai Phong, runners-up Ha Noi FC visiting Cong An TP HCM, CAHN hosting The Cong, newcomer Ninh Binh visiting Ha Tinh, Quang Nam versus SLNA, HAGL versus CLB TP HCM, and Thanh Hoa versus Da Nang.

The tournament will consist of 26 rounds with 182 matches. The champion will receive a 5 billion VND prize.

The upcoming V-League season will have five breaks. September, October, and November 2025, and March 2026 are designated for FIFA days, with approximately 10 days off per period. December 2025 and January 2026 will be entirely off for the SEA Games 33 and the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. During this time, CAHN and Nam Dinh will continue competing in the AFC Champions League Two and the Southeast Asian Club Cup.

Hieu Luong