The Vietnam U23 National Team has made thorough preparations for the 33rd SEA Games and the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026
03/10/2025 09:18:04
As reported, at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, the Vietnam U23 National Team is placed in Group A alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, U23 Jordan, and U23 Kyrgyzstan. This is a highly competitive group, but with the methodical and thorough investment and preparations made by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the Vietnam U23 team can be fully confident in their capabilities.
According to assessments, all three of Vietnam’s opponents possess their own strengths. Saudi Arabia not only enjoys home advantage but also lifted the trophy in 2022, making them one of the leading contenders for the championship. U23 Jordan claimed third place in 2013 and reached the quarter-finals in both 2016 and 2020. Meanwhile, U23 Kyrgyzstan – despite making their debut at the finals – have shown remarkable progress with their technical style of play and secured qualification as group winners in the qualifiers. This means that Vietnam U23 will be facing major challenges ahead.
VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn at the signing ceremony of the Football Development Cooperation Memorandum with the Qatar Football Association in 2023.
However, with six consecutive appearances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals and being seeded in Pot 2 for the 2026 edition, the Vietnam U23 National Team has every reason to be confident in their competitiveness. Notably, the team’s preparations have been proactively carried out early by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). In particular, alongside adjustments to the domestic professional league schedule to align with the team’s activities, the core squad — consisting mainly of U22 players — has been given opportunities for training camps and international competitions since the end of 2024. These efforts played a crucial role in helping the team secure their third consecutive AFF U23 Championship title, while also providing valuable experience and momentum towards their two main objectives: the 33rd SEA Games later this year and the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals in early 2026.
VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn and CFA President signed the Football Development Cooperation Memorandum between the two federations in August 2025.
In particular, during the crucial upcoming preparation phase, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), in collaboration with the Qatar Football Association under the Football Development Cooperation Memorandum signed and implemented since 2023, has arranged for the Vietnam U23 team to play two high-quality friendly matches against U23 Qatar during their training camp in the UAE in October 2025. Following that, in November 2025, the team will participate in an international tournament in China, based on the Football Development Cooperation Memorandum signed directly by the presidents of the two federations in August 2025. This tournament, which is expected to feature U23 China, U23 Vietnam, and two other strong U23 teams from Asia, promises to be a valuable opportunity for coach Kim Sang Sik and his players to further refine their tactics, solidify their lineup, and gain essential experience ahead of their major objectives.
