Hanoi, 11 Nov 2026 – Vietnam U17 head coach Cristiano Roland has confirmed his final 21-player squad for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 in Qatar, leaving four players out of the official registration list. The Vietnamese youngsters have already arrived in Qatar as they complete their preparations for a challenging Group G campaign against Belgium, New Zealand and Mali.
FIFA officially released the final squad lists for participating teams on the evening of November 11. Vietnam head coach Cristiano Roland made four changes to his preliminary squad, excluding Nguyen Viet Dung, Le Nguyen Khanh, Ta Dinh Phong and Pham Minh Cuong from the 21 players registered for the tournament.
Among those omitted, Pham Minh Cuong’s absence is particularly notable. The defender had been an important member of Vietnam U17 throughout their 2026 campaign, making his exclusion one of the more surprising decisions in Roland’s final selection. However, the four players will remain with the team in Qatar as reserve options, allowing the coaching staff to maintain additional cover should changes to the registered squad be permitted under tournament regulations.
Vietnam U17 arrived in Qatar on November 10 following their final overseas training preparations. The squad are now entering the last stage of their preparations before the World Cup begins, with the coaching staff focusing on tactical organisation, physical conditioning and helping players adapt to the tournament environment.
Drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand and Mali, Vietnam face three opponents with different playing styles and physical characteristics. Belgium are known for their technical ability and tactical discipline, while New Zealand are expected to pose challenges through their physical strength. Mali, meanwhile, offer considerable pace, athleticism and attacking quality, making the group a demanding test for the Vietnamese youngsters.
Despite the difficult opposition, Roland has made it clear that his team will approach the tournament with determination rather than focusing on the reputation of their opponents. The Brazilian coach has emphasised the importance of concentrating on one match at a time, treating every fixture as though it were a final. His approach is designed to keep the players focused and encourage them to compete confidently against more physically imposing teams.
In terms of tactics, Roland believes Vietnam must make the most of their strengths in speed, agility and technical ability to compensate for their physical disadvantages. He wants his players to move the ball quickly, make decisive choices under pressure and maintain intelligent positioning both in and out of possession. Effective movement and control of space will be particularly important in helping Vietnam avoid unnecessary physical contests while creating opportunities through coordinated attacking play.
With the final squad confirmed, Vietnam U17 can now concentrate fully on their World Cup campaign. Although the omission of several players, particularly Minh Cuong, may come as a disappointment, Roland’s selections reflect his assessment of the squad’s tactical needs and overall balance.
The FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 represents a major opportunity for Vietnam’s young players to test themselves against international opposition. Facing Belgium, New Zealand and Mali will provide valuable experience as Roland looks to build a competitive team capable of demonstrating Vietnam’s technical strengths on the world stage.
VSN/RPT
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