Hanoi, 27 Oct 2026 – The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially unveiled the Gia Lai VTV Cup 2026 International U23 Friendly Tournament on October 27, confirming a four-team competition featuring Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Qatar at Pleiku Stadium from November 10 to 14.
The tournament announcement took place at VFF headquarters, attended by representatives of the federation, Gia Lai provincial authorities, Vietnam Television (VTV), LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC and the media.
The competition will feature a single round-robin format, with all four teams facing each other once to determine the final standings.
Vietnam U23 will open their campaign against Thailand on November 10 before facing Singapore on November 12 and Qatar on November 14. All three matches are scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. Vietnam time.
Speaking at the ceremony, VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu highlighted the tournament’s importance in preparing Vietnam’s next generation of international players.
He explained that the matches would allow the coaching staff to assess squad depth, evaluate individual performances and gain experience against opponents from different footballing backgrounds.
The tournament will also contribute to preparations for the 2027 ASEAN U23 Championship and the 2028 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Beyond those youth competitions, the coaching staff will have an opportunity to identify promising players who could eventually strengthen Vietnam’s senior national team ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
The presence of Qatar U23 is expected to provide a particularly valuable test, while encounters with regional rivals Thailand and Singapore will offer further opportunities to evaluate Vietnam’s competitive level.
Nguyen Tan Anh, a VFF Executive Committee member and chief executive of LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, revealed that preparations had been underway for nearly six months.
During that period, organisers worked with the VFF to secure the participation of the three visiting teams and arrange the necessary facilities for players, officials and supporters.
The event also forms part of activities celebrating National Tourism Year Gia Lai 2026, held under the theme “Gia Lai: Where the Highlands Meet the Blue Sea.”
Nguyen Van Y, deputy director of Gia Lai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasised the province’s strong sporting traditions and its ambition to use international events to promote tourism and economic development.
He noted that Pleiku Stadium has been an important football venue for the past two decades and expressed confidence in the province’s ability to host the competition successfully.
Organisers also hope the tournament will introduce visitors to Gia Lai’s distinctive highland culture, including its traditional gong heritage, cool climate and seasonal wild sunflower blooms.
All matches will be broadcast live through FPT Play’s platforms and VTV’s television channels and digital services, allowing supporters across Vietnam to follow the tournament.
Vietnam U23 Match Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (Vietnam time) |
|---|---|---|
| November 10 | Vietnam U23 vs Thailand U23 | 7:00 p.m. |
| November 12 | Vietnam U23 vs Singapore U23 | 7:00 p.m. |
| November 14 | Vietnam U23 vs Qatar U23 | 7:00 p.m. |
Prize Money Confirmed
The organisers have announced a total of USD 160,000 in team placement prizes, with additional awards recognising outstanding individual performances.
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Champions | USD 100,000, trophy and gold medals |
| Runners-up | USD 40,000 and silver medals |
| Third place | USD 20,000 and bronze medals |
| Best Player | USD 2,000 |
| Top Scorer | USD 1,000 |
| Best Goalkeeper | USD 1,000 |
| Best Refereeing Team | USD 1,000 |
The tournament is jointly organised by the VFF, Gia Lai’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC.
With competitive international fixtures, substantial prize money and a strong focus on promoting local tourism, the Gia Lai VTV Cup 2026 promises to be an important preparation opportunity for Vietnam U23 and a major sporting attraction for football supporters in the Central Highlands.
Phan Lee
Leave a Reply