Jeddah, 1 May 2026 – Vietnam U17 have officially arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to begin the final stage of preparations for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup, a competition that also serves as a pathway to the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup.
After departing Hanoi at 2:00 AM on May 1 and transiting through Doha, coach Cristiano Roland and his squad landed in Jeddah at around 10:00 AM local time (2:00 PM Vietnam time). The team’s early arrival reflects careful planning by the Vietnam Football Federation, which aimed to give the players extra time to adjust before the tournament officially begins on May 3.
Although AFC activities had not yet started, Vietnam chose to arrive two days earlier to help the squad adapt to the local climate, time difference, and playing conditions in Saudi Arabia. The federation covered all additional expenses related to the early trip, highlighting its strong support for the team ahead of one of the most important youth tournaments in Asia.
Despite arriving outside the official AFC schedule, the host organizers still welcomed the Vietnamese delegation warmly and arranged accommodation at the Mövenpick Jeddah Hotel, located about 15 minutes from the airport. Interestingly, the same hotel previously hosted Vietnam U23 during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, where the team reached the third-place playoff match.
Following their arrival, the players immediately focused on recovery after the long journey. The squad was provided with a carefully prepared nutritional meal before returning to their rooms for rest. Later in the day, the coaching staff scheduled light gym sessions and recovery exercises in the hotel swimming pool to help the players regain physical condition.
Cristiano Roland and his staff are prioritizing physical recovery and environmental adaptation before increasing tactical preparations on the training pitch in the coming days. The Brazilian coach understands the importance of entering the tournament in the best possible physical and mental condition.
Vietnam U17 have been drawn into a challenging group alongside Yemen, South Korea, and the UAE. Their opening match against Yemen is expected to play a crucial role in the race for a quarter-final spot and a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup.
VSN/RPT
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