Hanoi – The Vietnam women’s national football team has learned their opponents for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers following the draw held by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today, March 27.
Placed in Group E alongside Maldives, UAE, and Guam, Coach Mai Duc Chung’s squad faces a favorable path to secure a spot in the finals—a tournament that doubles as Asia’s gateway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The qualifiers feature 34 teams split into 8 groups—six with four teams and two with five—competing in a single round-robin format from June 23 to July 5, 2025, aligning with FIFA Women’s Days. Only the top team from each group advances to the finals, joining host Australia and the top three from the 2022 Asian Cup: China, South Korea, and Japan. With the 2026 Asian Cup determining Asia’s allocation of six direct World Cup slots and two intercontinental playoff berths, Vietnam’s journey to a second World Cup appearance starts here.
Hosting Group E, Vietnam enters as clear favorites. Maldives, crushed 16-0 by Vietnam in the 2022 Asian Cup qualifiers, pose little threat. UAE, bolstered by naturalized players with physical advantages—as seen in Abu Dhabi Country’s 5-4 loss to Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC in the 2024/25 AFC Women’s Champions League—remain manageable. Guam, a newcomer to Vietnam’s radar, lacks the pedigree to challenge seriously. “We won’t take it lightly, but this is a golden chance,” a Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) source said.
Coach Mai Duc Chung, who guided Vietnam to their historic 2023 World Cup debut, will blend youth from the 2025 U19 Women’s Championship and National Cup with veterans like Huynh Nhu and Chuong Thi Kieu. The Group E venue—likely Viet Tri, Phu Tho—awaits VFF confirmation. Vietnam’s home advantage, paired with their dominance over such opponents, fuels optimism for a top finish.
Having placed fifth at the 2022 Asian Cup, Vietnam knows qualifying is just the first hurdle. To reach Brazil 2027, where FIFA has allotted Asia eight potential spots, they must excel in 2026’s finals. This summer’s campaign, kicking off against Maldives, UAE, and Guam, marks the start of that ambitious quest. With preparation time ample and stakes sky-high, Vietnam aims to seize this “easy” group and build momentum for the bigger battles ahead.
Leave a Reply