Hanoi, 22 July, 2026 – Vietnam football has received encouraging news ahead of the group-stage draw for the men’s and women’s football tournaments at the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD).
The U23 Vietnam national team has been placed in Pot 1 for the ASIAD 2026 men’s football draw, while the Vietnam women’s national team has been allocated to Pot 3. The official draw will take place on July 23, marking an important step in Vietnam’s preparations for the 20th Asian Games.
According to the organizers, the men’s football tournament will feature 15 teams divided into four groups. Three groups will consist of four teams, while the remaining group will have three teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Based on performances at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, U23 Vietnam has been placed in Pot 1 alongside host nation Japan, China and South Korea. This seeding means Vietnam will avoid facing any of these three strong opponents during the group stage, potentially increasing their chances of receiving a favorable draw.
In the women’s tournament, 12 teams will be divided into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals.
The Vietnam women’s national team has been placed in Pot 3 alongside Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, with the seedings determined based on results at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Under the tournament regulations, hosts Japan will automatically occupy the top position in Group A of the men’s competition and Group E of the women’s competition. The remaining positions will be determined during the official draw.
ASIAD 2026 will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Another notable development for Vietnamese football is the appointment of Vietnam Football Federation President Tran Quoc Tuan to an important organizational role at the Games. Tran Quoc Tuan, who is also a member of the AFC Executive Committee and Chairman of the AFC Competitions Committee, has been appointed by the Asian Football Confederation to serve as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the ASIAD 2026 men’s football tournament.
The appointment represents another significant milestone for Vietnamese football, highlighting the country’s growing presence not only on the pitch but also in football administration and organization at the continental level.
VSN/RPT
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