Hanoi, 19 June, 2025 – After making their historic debut at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, the Vietnam women’s national team are setting their sights on returning to the world’s biggest stage in 2027, with the journey beginning at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil, with Asia allocated six direct slots and two intercontinental playoff spots—the same format as in 2023. Qualification will be determined based on performances at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, making the upcoming qualifiers a crucial first step toward the global tournament.
In the first round of the Asian Cup qualifiers, Vietnam have been drawn into Group E alongside UAE, Guam, and Maldives. Under the guidance of veteran coach Mai Duc Chung, the team will play all their group matches at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province, with fixtures scheduled as follows:
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June 29: Vietnam vs Maldives (19:00)
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July 2: Vietnam vs UAE (19:00)
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July 5: Vietnam vs Guam (19:00)
Given the current rankings and experience levels, Vietnam are firm favorites to top the group. All three opponents are considered significantly weaker in terms of squad strength and international exposure. A group-winning finish would secure Vietnam a place in the 2026 Asian Cup finals, taking them one step closer to qualifying for their second consecutive World Cup appearance.
Coach Mai Duc Chung’s side will also benefit from recent preparations in Japan, where they played three friendly matches, winning two and drawing one. With a balanced blend of seasoned players like Huynh Nhu, Kim Thanh, and Bich Thuy, along with promising young talents, Vietnam are poised to assert their dominance in Group E.
Success in this qualifying stage would not only bring them closer to the 2026 Asian Cup but also reaffirm Vietnam’s commitment to long-term women’s football development. As regional powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, and Australia continue to evolve, Vietnam’s early and steady progress in the qualifiers could be key to competing at the highest level in Brazil in 2027.
Kim Chi
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