It's not just about numbers.

VHO - While the debate over whether to allow 3 or 4 foreign players simultaneously in the V.League 2025/26 is still ongoing, the more important question is: what is the necessary limit for the sustainable development of Vietnamese football?

Because the story isn't just about a foreign player appearing on the field, but about an entire ecosystem, from youth training and competition structure to the national team's capabilities in the journey towards the 2030 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup.

Many V.League clubs have proposed registering four foreign players to play simultaneously. (Photo: VPF)

According to the preliminary regulations sent by VPF to V.League clubs, each team can register a maximum of 4 foreign players but can only field 3 at a time. However, 7 financially strong clubs such as Hanoi FC, The Cong Viettel , CAHN, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Hong Linh Ha Tinh have submitted proposals to allow the use of all 4 foreign players at all times during matches.

The reasons given are to avoid wasting resources, improve professional quality, and better prepare for international competitions. VPF compiled the opinions and reported them to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) for consideration and guidance today. The final decision is expected to be made before the V-League 2025/26 draw on July 14th.

In theory, increasing the number of foreign players could contribute to increased competitiveness, making matches more exciting, thereby leading to growth in media coverage, commerce, and audience numbers.

However, conversely, this means that at least one domestic player will lose the opportunity to play, which is particularly noteworthy given that Vietnamese football is facing a stagnation in the supply of young players with skills, confidence, and the ability to adapt to modern competition systems.

Undeniably, quality foreign players have made and continue to make positive contributions to clubs and the entire league. However, when the professional league becomes too crowded with domestic players, especially at the U21-U23 age group, the long-term consequence will be an unfillable void in the national team.

The number of foreign players used to be one of the key issues for emerging football nations. Vietnam's direct rivals in the region, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are also following this trend. In Thai League 1, each team is allowed to register 7 foreign players.

Malaysia even allows 9 foreign players on the field in a match. Indonesia was heavily criticized for increasing the number of registered foreign players to 11 and allowing 8 to play in a match. In Vietnam, in 2001 and 2002, each team was allowed to register 7 foreign players, from 2003 it decreased to 4, from 2005-2010 it was 5, and in 2011 it decreased again to 4, allowing 3 foreign players to play.

However, before considering increasing the number of foreign players to "compete regionally," it's necessary to face the reality that most V.League clubs currently lack a well-structured youth academy, a proper system for monitoring player activity, data analysis, or qualified sports doctors. They still struggle with limited budgets and are dependent on local authorities or unstable sponsors.

Another aspect is that the quality of foreign players in the V.League is not entirely consistent. While physical superiority may provide an advantage on the field, foreign players with talent, composure, and professionalism to serve as role models for young players are still rare. Increasing the number of foreign players might be a "shortcut" to short-term success, but in the long run, it will affect sustainable development.

On July 5th, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong signed Decision No. 2368/QD-BVHTTDL, approving the Project for the Development of Vietnamese Football until 2030, with a vision to 2045. The project is divided into two phases. The goals for the men's football team include reaching the third qualifying round of the 2030 World Cup, aiming to participate in the 2034 World Cup, and securing a spot in at least one Olympic Games in 2028 or 2032.

It is noteworthy that this grand dream is not built on slogans or short-term achievements. In the plan, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism emphasized that the development of Vietnamese football must be linked to the principle of sustainability. That is, instead of just focusing on World Cup qualification, attention must be paid to the roots – from school football movements and local infrastructure to academies and youth training systems.

On a deeper level, the plan also calls for perfecting the structure of the football market, a prerequisite for transforming the king of sports into a truly comprehensive service industry . Issues such as legal mechanisms, image rights, media rights, and the player transfer market are all addressed seriously and with a long-term vision.

We are witnessing an imbalance between the leagues: the V.League lacks young players, and the First Division has failed to put pressure on the V.League. Meanwhile, the national team is constantly struggling to find new talents to replace the generation of players who created a miracle in Changzhou.

One common argument from clubs proposing to increase the number of foreign players is to adapt to the pace of competition in the AFC Champions League or Southeast Asian tournaments. However, that's only half the truth. Because if teams don't build their own identity and don't have enough depth of quality domestic players, then even with 7 or 10 foreign players, it will be difficult to make an impact on the international stage. If they only focus on increasing foreign players without strengthening their internal infrastructure, V.League clubs will continue to fall into the cycle of "using foreign players to fill the gaps in domestic strength," until they face financial crises and lose direction.

If we truly want to integrate and reach continental heights, we need to lay the foundation for the development of domestic players, from youth leagues to the First Division system, specifically by investing in academy systems and encouraging youth training at the local level… When domestic strength is solid, foreign players will only be a catalyst, not a panacea.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/khong-chi-la-con-so-151131.html