Vietnamese football is preparing for a demanding final stretch of 2026, with the senior men’s and women’s teams, U23s, youth sides and futsal teams all facing major international assignments.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) met with the media in Hanoi on September 10 to outline its plans for the national teams between September 2026 and January 2027.
Vietnam’s senior men’s team will assemble on September 21 before travelling to Indonesia one or two days later for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. After successfully defending their Southeast Asian title, Vietnam are targeting a place in the final of the regional tournament.
However, the coaching staff will have little time to prepare the squad, while injuries have also affected several selection options. Close cooperation between the VFF, clubs, players and the national-team coaches will therefore be important. Following the tournament, Vietnam will turn their attention to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, where the target is to reach the round of 16.
Vietnam’s women’s team, meanwhile, are aiming for the quarter-finals at the 2026 Asian Games. The squad completed a training camp in China from September 2–10 before beginning their campaign. The team are currently undergoing a gradual transition, with younger players receiving more opportunities following the departure of several experienced figures.
The U23 team will also compete at the Asian Games, beginning their campaign against Kuwait on September 15. Despite a limited preparation period and injury concerns, Vietnam have set a quarter-final target. The squad will later participate in an international friendly tournament in Gia Lai from November 9–17 as part of their preparations for several major competitions in 2027.
Another major focus is Vietnam’s first appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup. The team will gather on September 20, with the VFF considering a training camp in West Asia before the tournament in Qatar. Vietnam will seek to advance beyond the group stage while giving their young players valuable experience at the highest level.
The men’s and women’s futsal teams are also scheduled to play international friendlies before competing at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand in December.
With several teams competing almost simultaneously, the VFF has emphasised careful coordination, medical support and long-term player development. The busy programme is expected to test Vietnamese football’s depth while providing an important foundation for its ambitions in 2027 and beyond.
Pan Lee
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