V-League 2026: Which teams face the greatest relegation threat?

When the opening whistle echoed at Vinh Stadium, I saw the young faces of SLNA – they ran like birds just leaving the nest, full of desire but also full of uncertainty. The 2026 season began with a promise and a worry. Vietnamese football is undergoing a transformation, and at the bottom of the table, five clubs are standing at the threshold of life and death. The context this season is particularly harsh: V-League 2026 has only two direct relegation spots, with no play-off. That means there is no safety net for anyone. SLNA, HAGL, Thanh Hoa – names that once made history – now face a brutal reality. Alongside them are two newly promoted teams, carrying ambition but lacking experience. SLNA entered the season with a significantly rejuvenated squad. They parted ways with four key players, including both foreign strikers Michael Olaha and Carlos Fortes. Coach Van Sy Son admitted the pressure is enormous when rebuilding from ashes. Limited finances prevented them from keeping their stars, but in return, the Nghe An youth academy remains their biggest hope. I believe SLNA will play with youthful energy and fire, but the inconsistency of young players is a hidden risk. HAGL – the club of dreams – once again faces financial difficulties. They were once the model of beautiful football with a famous academy, but harsh reality is squeezing them. Experience is an advantage, but the lack of consistency in their playing style makes them vulnerable. Football doesn't just need to be beautiful; it needs results. Thanh Hoa, a team that played very well last season, now also falls into a vortex of difficulty. They still have experienced players, but stagnation in their operations is causing them to fall behind. Meanwhile, the two newcomers, Bac Ninh and Dong Nai, are investing heavily. Bac Ninh brought in three Brazilian foreigners, while Dong Nai bet on star Cong Phuong. But dependence on one individual is always a double-edged sword. I have witnessed many teams relegated simply because they trusted their star too much. Cong Phuong is a great talent, but if he gets injured or loses form, Dong Nai will have no Plan B. Bac Ninh with three Brazilians could create a strong attack, but the lack of cohesion between foreigners and local players is a difficult puzzle. People often say newly promoted teams struggle due to lack of experience. But I believe the veteran teams like SLNA and HAGL are the ones truly standing on the brink. They are used to winning, but when defeats come consecutively, their mentality collapses faster. Newcomers can accept defeat as a lesson, but traditional clubs cannot. This season, I will record every tear, every slip of the nameless destinies. The scoreboard cannot reflect the heart, and football writes poetry in those places. My notebook still holds a few tears from previous seasons – I believe this season will add new tears, but also unexpected smiles. When the radio broadcasts late at night, the pitch sleeps silently, football knows how to wait. And I, a 69-year-old dreamer, still sit here, listening to the breath of the ball. Who will be the ones to leave when the season ends? The answer lies in the upcoming matches, where every beautiful pass is a declaration of love for survival.