Hanoi, 1 May 2026 – On the evening of April 30, Vietnam U17 departed for Saudi Arabia to compete in the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup, a crucial competition in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup.
According to the schedule, the team’s flight left Hanoi at 2:00 AM on May 1, with a transit in Doha before continuing to Jeddah. Coach Cristiano Roland and his players are expected to arrive at the tournament venue at around 10:00 AM local time (2:00 PM Vietnam time).
Before departure, Vietnam U17 completed their final training session on April 30 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center. The coaching staff also finalized the official 23-player squad for the tournament, in line with competition regulations. Unlike the AFF U17 Championship 2026, where teams could register 26 players, the AFC U17 Asian Cup requires a reduced squad size, forcing careful personnel decisions.
As a result, four players—Nguyen Chuong, Quang Khoi, Quang Danh, and Dinh Phong—were left out of the final squad. Coach Roland personally encouraged them to continue working hard and remain ready for future opportunities.
The 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup will take place from May 5 to May 23 and was originally set to feature 16 teams divided into four groups. However, after North Korea U17 withdrew from the tournament, only 15 teams remain. The Asian Football Confederation decided not to add a replacement team and instead adjusted only the schedule for Group D, which now includes Uzbekistan, Australia, and India.
Under the tournament format, the eight quarter-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup alongside host nation Qatar.
Vietnam U17 have been drawn into a difficult Group C alongside South Korea, UAE, and Yemen. The group is considered highly competitive and will require maximum concentration and preparation from Roland’s side.
According to the fixture list, Vietnam will face Yemen on May 7, South Korea on May 10, and UAE on May 14. Each match will play a decisive role in the race for a place in the knockout stage and qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026.
VSN/RPT
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