V-League 2026/27: Fierce Relegation Race with Two Direct Spots

On the afternoon of September 6 at Vinh Stadium, when SLNA stepped into the opening match of V-League 2026/27 against newcomer Bac Ninh, I recalled an old saying of mine: "The first lesson doesn't come from a contract, but from an unconfirmed rumor." But today, there are no rumors for this battle. Only one cold truth: two direct relegation spots, no play-off, will make this season the harshest purge in V-League history. The new format, announced by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in May 2026, has completely changed the landscape. Instead of one relegation spot and one play-off spot as in previous seasons, the 2026/27 season will see the two bottom-placed teams directly leave the top flight. This means there is no room for luck or late-season calculations. Every match, every half, even every goal becomes gold. SLNA, one of Vietnam's most traditional clubs, is facing the biggest challenge in its history. They have a new sponsor but still couldn't keep their key trio: Michael Olaha, Carlos Fortes, Ngo Van Luong, and Vuong Van Huy. Coach Van Sy Son, in a pre-match press conference, did not hide his concern: "The pressure on us is huge as the squad is young and financial resources are limited. Some foreign players also need time to adapt to the V-League." His words sounded like a confession about the fragility of the Nghe An team. But SLNA is not the only team in the "crosshairs." Bac Ninh, a newly promoted side from the First Division, has recruited a host of names such as Pierre Lamothe, Luong Hoang Nam, Le Tien Anh, overseas Vietnamese midfielder Minh-Kai, Le Van Xuan, Vu Tien Long, goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong... along with three Brazilian foreigners, notably midfielder Vitao and striker Brenner Marlos. However, massive investment does not mean certainty. The top-flight experience of these players is limited, and composure under away pressure cannot be bought with money. Dong Nai, the second newcomer, faces a similar equation. Despite strong investment in the squad, the Southeast region team still relies heavily on Cong Phuong's form and coach Nguyen Viet Thang's leadership. Cong Phuong, at 31, remains the brightest star, but modern football doesn't allow a team to depend on one individual. Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa and HAGL, two teams familiar with the V-League, are mired in financial and squad difficulties. They are not highly rated this season, and if they fail to maintain stability, they could become surprise names on the relegation list. I recall the 2026 season when I witnessed the financial crisis of Bucheon FC 2026 in K-League 2. That club almost went bankrupt after losing 70% of ticket revenue. But they survived thanks to consensus between players and management. That lesson showed me that in football, unity and fighting spirit can overcome any financial difficulty. Returning to the V-League, what concerns me most is not the underdogs, but how top teams like Hanoi FC, Cong An Hanoi, or Viettel will exploit this opportunity. With two relegation spots, the leading teams will have even more advantage when facing teams scrambling for points. They can rotate their squads, give more playing time to young players, without worrying about being threatened in the standings. This creates a paradox: the fierce relegation race might force smaller teams to play negative defensive football, leading to less attractive matches. But conversely, it also creates opportunities for teams with bold attacking play, like Bac Ninh with their three Brazilian foreigners, to spring surprises. I once wrote: "The transfer market operates on the trust of those who listen." But in this V-League season, that trust is being tested by fear. In closed meeting rooms, executives talk about budgets and contracts. In the corridors, they talk about the fear of being left behind. SLNA might survive thanks to their grit and tradition. Bac Ninh might surprise with their passionate attacking play. Dong Nai might find stability through Cong Phuong's experience. But equally, all those scenarios could collapse, and we might witness big names bidding farewell to the top flight. I don't have a definitive answer. I only know that this season will be a major test of patience, composure, and adaptability for the clubs. And as I often say: "The real shock isn't when a deal collapses, but when everyone believes a false report." Are we misjudging which teams will be relegated? Let's wait and see. In football, nothing is certain. But one thing is certain: this year's relegation race is not for the faint-hearted.