Hanoi, 23 April 2026 – VFF is set to determine which clubs will be granted licenses to participate in the 2026/27 domestic league season as well as club competitions organized by the Asian Football Confederation.
At its first Club Licensing Committee meeting of 2026, VFF carried out a comprehensive review of the licensing process for clubs competing in both the professional league system and AFC tournaments for the 2026/27 season. The evaluation focused on core criteria including sporting performance, infrastructure, financial stability, legal compliance, and administrative organization, ensuring transparency and alignment with regulations.
Notably, the committee emphasized several mandatory requirements, such as having a head coach with a PRO license, meeting stadium and facility standards, and having no overdue debts. Clubs failing to meet VFF and AFC regulations will not be granted licenses, meaning they will be barred from competition regardless of their on-field results.
The meeting also reviewed youth development systems at several clubs, including Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Dong Nai. This is seen as a crucial step toward improving player development and building a sustainable future for Vietnamese football.
Another key point discussed was the roadmap for piloting a licensing system for women’s clubs in line with AFC guidelines. VFF plans to implement two trial phases before officially applying the system from 2027, aiming to standardize women’s competitions starting from the 2028 season.
According to the schedule, licensing decisions for clubs participating in the 2026/27 domestic league will be announced on May 8, while decisions regarding eligibility for AFC club competitions will be finalized on May 13, 2026.
VSN/RPT
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