Hanoi Vietnam U23 have named a youthful 23-man squad for ASIAD 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, combining players with international experience and emerging talents as the team looks to compete at the continental event while building for the future.
One of the most notable aspects of the squad is the balance between established U23 players and younger prospects. The selection is designed not only to meet Vietnam’s immediate competitive objectives at the Asian Games but also to give the next generation valuable experience at continental level.
This approach has been a consistent part of Vietnam U23’s preparations throughout 2026.
The team held its first training camp in March ahead of the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament, where the players gained valuable match experience against North Korea U23, Thailand U23 and China U23.
Another short training camp followed in late July, allowing the coaching staff to assess the available players and further shape the squad ahead of the final preparations for ASIAD.
The emphasis on younger players also extends beyond the Asian Games. Under the Vietnam Football Federation’s long-term development plan, the U23 team is simultaneously building towards several major international competitions in 2027, including the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, the SEA Games and the ASEAN U23 Championship.
Following ASIAD, Vietnam U23 are expected to regroup during the November FIFA international window in Gia Lai, where preparations for those competitions will continue.
According to the team’s schedule, the players will assemble again on September 12 before departing for Japan the following day.
Vietnam U23 have been drawn in Group C, where they will begin their campaign against Kuwait U23 on September 15, followed by a meeting with the Philippines U23 on September 18. Their final group-stage match will be against Uzbekistan U23 on September 22.
With the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals, every group-stage fixture will be crucial to head coach Dinh Hong Vinh’s ambition of taking Vietnam deep into the tournament.
With preparations following a clear development pathway and the squad now taking shape, Vietnam U23 will head into ASIAD 2026 determined to compete at their highest level.
At the same time, the Asian Games will provide an important opportunity for Vietnam’s emerging players to gain experience, mature and prepare themselves for the major international challenges awaiting them in 2027.
VSN/RPT
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