Leaders of the Vietnam Sports Administration and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) visited and encouraged the Vietnam U23 National Team ahead of the 2026 Asian Qualifiers
On the afternoon of September 1 in Viet Tri (Phu Tho), Mr. Hoang Quoc Vinh – Head of the Elite Sports Department, Vietnam Sports Administration – together with Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President Tran Quoc Tuan, visited and encouraged the Vietnam U23 National Team as they enter the final stage of preparations for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Also attending the meeting was VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu.
04/09/2025 10:46:52
In a cozy atmosphere, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized the importance of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. He noted that this is the gateway for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players to earn a place in the Finals – where Vietnam U23 will have the opportunity to compete against the continent’s top teams, gaining valuable experience and further raising their level. President Tran Quoc Tuan affirmed that Vietnam’s consistent presence in the Finals since 2016, highlighted by the remarkable runner-up finish in 2018, clearly reflects the country’s investment and proper orientation in youth football development.
With that spirit, ahead of this campaign, Vietnam U23 has continued to receive strong support and systematic investment from both the State management authorities and the VFF. The team has undergone several training camps in parallel with the national team during FIFA Days, been given opportunities for quality international friendlies in China, and most recently, successfully defended their title at the 2025 AFF U23 Championship in Indonesia. All of these form valuable preparation, enabling the team to step into the upcoming challenge with confidence.
VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan affirmed that with the close support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Sports Administration, and the VFF, the Vietnam U23 National Team is having the best possible preparation for two major objectives in 2025: the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games.
The immediate task for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players is to conquer Group C of the U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where they will face Singapore, Bangladesh, and Yemen. Playing at home in Viet Tri offers a significant advantage, and the Vietnam U23 team is determined to turn that advantage into victories to reward the trust and support of their fans.
Right after encouraging the Vietnam U23 team, VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan returned to Hanoi to visit the National Team, which is currently training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center under the guidance of acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, reviewing and assessing the squad in preparation for the upcoming matches of the final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. President Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized that although the road ahead will be challenging, the spirit of the Golden Star Warriors is always to fight to the very end and never give up.
Amidst the nationwide celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), VFF leaders presented meaningful gifts to members of both the U23 team and the National Team, as words of encouragement for them to continue dedicating themselves, giving their best for the national colors, and successfully fulfilling their missions.
