VFF President meets to encourage the Vietnamese team to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
On the morning of November 10, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation, President of the Vietnam Football Federation Tran Quoc Tuan had a meeting and encouraged Vietnamese team members before entering the 2026 World Cup Second Qualifying Round campaign. Also attending was Secretary General Duong Nghiep Khoi – Head of the Vietnamese team participating in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.
13/11/2023 17:48:01
At the beginning of the meeting, on behalf of the team’s coaching staff, head coach Philippe Troussier reported to the leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation about the preparation situation of the entire team, and emphasized the determination of the Vietnamese team when entering the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. He said: “In the near future, the Vietnamese team will enter the first official matches, the first challenges with two official matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying. Before that, we had 8 months of preparation. I also convened and worked with nearly 80 players, with 4 training sessions in April, June, September and October, with the goal of establishing the playing style I wanted.
I have coached many national teams, participated in 2 World Cups, coached at the Olympics, Asian Cup, Copa America, a total of nearly 300 matches. When the VFF’s President sent the invitation, even though I had experienced many glories, I was still very excited about the proposal.
The current Vietnamese players have won the AFF Cup, won the SEA Games, won the Asian U23 runner-up, and reached the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. All have good records in the past and overcoming that is not easy.
Over the past 8 months, I have tried to make you understand my desires, my playing style… Of course, training is very different from official competition. Recently, the Vietnamese team had 6 friendly matches, thereby helping the players understand how to practice in other competitions. If we just want to enjoy the joy of winning matches during preparation, we can meet weaker teams, but I decided to choose stronger or equal teams so that the players can get used to the new challenges, recognize shortcomings faster, and help me see my options more clearly.”
The French coach added: “The players present here have all worked hard and practiced in recent times. Maybe not everyone is ready to adapt to the new coach’s changing playing style, but I always persevere and help you, because that is what you and I are willing to do. It’s impossible to work if you’re not willing to face challenges. That’s why we’re here together. Let’s all fight together.”
Next, on behalf of the leadership of the Vietnam Football Federation, President Tran Quoc Tuan sent words of encouragement to coach Philippe Troussier and his team.
VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized that in recent times, the Vietnamese team has been carefully prepared and had the opportunity to compete in friendly matches with quality opponents at the continental level. That is the premise for the whole team to aim for good results in the first two matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, respectively meeting the Philippines (November 16) away and Iraq (November 21) at home. .
According to the plan, coach Philippe Troussier and his team will leave for the Philippines on November 13 to get acquainted with the climate and field conditions here.
