Vietnam U17 National Football Team face tough challenge at the 2026 AFF U-17 Championship
On the afternoon of March 6, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) conducted the official draw for the 2026 AFF U-17 Championship. According to the draw results, the Vietnam U17 National Football Team were placed in Group A alongside Indonesia U17 National Football Team, Malaysia U17 National Football Team and Timor-Leste U17 National Football Team.
16/03/2026 09:47:43
The presence of two long-time rivals, Indonesia U17 National Football Team and Malaysia U17 National Football Team, means that Group A is expected to be highly competitive and unpredictable. Indonesia U17 will have a certain advantage with home support, while Malaysia U17 are also considered a direct contender for a place in the semi-finals.
In the other groups, Group B features Thailand U17 National Football Team, Laos U17 National Football Team, Myanmar U17 National Football Team and Philippines U17 National Football Team; while Group C includes Australia U17 National Football Team, Cambodia U17 National Football Team, Singapore U17 National Football Team and Brunei U17 National Football Team.
The teams will compete in a single round-robin format within each group to determine the standings. Only the three group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals. This means every match will carry decisive significance in the race for a place in the knockout stage.
According to the plan, the 2026 AFF U-17 Championship will take place from April 11 to April 23, 2026 in Indonesia. Matches will be played at Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium and Gelora Delta Stadium.
Beyond being a regional competition, the tournament is also considered an important stepping stone for teams preparing for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in May in Saudi Arabia. It provides an opportunity for teams to finalize their squads, test tactical options and help young players gain valuable international match experience.
To prepare for both the 2026 AFF U-17 Championship and the upcoming 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, the Vietnam U17 National Football Team are expected to reconvene in early April.
