Hanoi, 16 Oct 2026 – Vietnam U17 head coach Cristiano Roland believes his players can make their mark at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026, with the team stepping up preparations ahead of challenging Group G encounters against Belgium, New Zealand and Mali.
Vietnam U17 are entering a decisive stage of their preparations for their first appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup. After more than a month of training, Roland and his coaching staff are focusing on physical conditioning, tactical organisation and mental readiness to ensure the squad can compete at the highest level.
Speaking in a recent media interview, the Brazilian coach explained that the opening two weeks of training were primarily dedicated to improving the players’ strength, stamina and overall fitness. The team subsequently moved into a more tactical phase, using practice matches to assess different approaches and improve coordination across the squad.
Roland considers the initial training period an important foundation but believes upcoming international friendlies will provide a clearer indication of the team’s readiness. Vietnam are scheduled to play three friendly matches in South Korea before continuing their preparations in the United Arab Emirates and eventually travelling to Qatar for the tournament.
These matches are expected to help the young players gain valuable international experience, adapt to a higher intensity of competition and become more comfortable implementing the coaching staff’s tactical instructions. Alongside their work on the pitch, the players are receiving guidance on nutrition, appropriate supplementation, recovery and rest to maintain their physical condition throughout the demanding preparation period.
Vietnam face a difficult assignment in Group G, where they will meet Belgium, New Zealand and Mali. Roland acknowledged the quality of all three opponents and admitted that his team would need to perform at its best to compete effectively.
The coaching staff have already begun analysing each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses to develop suitable tactical plans. However, Roland stressed that Vietnam must approach the tournament one match at a time, beginning with their opening encounter against Belgium.
Rather than becoming distracted by the overall difficulty of the group, the coach wants his players to concentrate on executing their game plan and competing for points in every fixture.
Mental preparation is another major priority. Roland has urged his players to remain focused on their responsibilities and avoid allowing comments or criticism on social media to affect their performances. He believes maintaining discipline, professionalism and a positive attitude throughout training will be essential when the team faces the pressure of competing on the world stage.
Discussing the attacking potential of his squad, Roland highlighted Nguyen Luc and several other technically gifted players capable of producing decisive individual moments. Nevertheless, he insisted that Vietnam’s greatest strength must come from teamwork rather than relying on individual talent.
According to the Brazilian coach, strong organisation in both attack and defence will create the conditions for talented players to express themselves. He believes tactical discipline, collective understanding and the ability to support one another will ultimately determine how competitive Vietnam can be against stronger international opposition.
Roland also acknowledged the challenges facing Asian representatives at the World Cup, where differences in physical strength, experience and playing intensity can prove decisive. For Vietnam, he believes careful preparation must be accompanied by resilience, confidence and the determination to overcome difficult situations.
“We really want to make a difference,” Roland emphasised, underlining the ambition driving his squad ahead of the tournament.
The coach added that support from Vietnamese football fans remains an important source of motivation for the players. He hopes that encouragement will inspire the team to push beyond their limits and represent the country with pride.
With international training camps and friendly matches still ahead, Vietnam U17 will continue refining their preparations as they look to turn their historic World Cup appearance into a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate the progress of Vietnamese youth football.
VSN/RPT
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