Hanoi, 25 December 2025 – The Vietnam Football Federation has officially announced that Mai Duc Chung will remain in charge of the Vietnam women’s national team, ensuring continuity and stability ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, a key pathway to qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has confirmed that Mai Duc Chung will continue as head coach of the Vietnam women’s national team. The decision was made following a high level of consensus between the federation and the veteran coach, based on practical requirements for stability, succession, and continuity in the coaching process. This move comes at a crucial time, as the national team prepares for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, scheduled for early March 2026, where results will determine Asia’s qualification slots for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
After completing their campaign at SEA Games 33, the Vietnam women’s team now faces an important transitional phase. Maintaining consistency in technical direction, playing style, and squad management is seen as essential to ensure optimal preparation for the continental stage. With the Asian Cup drawing closer, VFF believes continuity on the bench is vital for preserving tactical cohesion and team morale.
According to the preparation plan, the Vietnam women’s national team will regroup in January 2026 and head to China for a training camp, during which they are expected to play two international friendly matches. Following that, the team will travel to Australia, the host nation of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, for a second phase of training. This camp will include one additional friendly match before the team officially begins its tournament campaign.
Given the limited preparation time, VFF considers Mai Duc Chung—renowned for his extensive experience and deep understanding of Vietnamese women’s football—the most suitable figure to guide the team through this decisive period. His long-standing contributions and familiarity with the squad are viewed as key assets as the team aims to compete effectively at continental level.
Nguyen Sy Hien, Chairman of the National Coaches Council, emphasized that retaining Mai Duc Chung is the most appropriate choice at this stage. He noted that the decision ensures continuity in personnel management, tactical philosophy, and long-term development orientation, helping the team maximize the progress achieved so far while targeting strong performances at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. He also highlighted that the players are thoroughly accustomed to the head coach’s methods and philosophy, while Mai Duc Chung himself understands the strengths, mentality, and characteristics of each player in detail.
Mai Duc Chung expressed his honor at continuing to receive the trust of VFF. He affirmed his commitment to working closely with the coaching staff and players, focusing fully on preparation and striving to deliver the highest possible performance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
VFF remains confident that with stability on the coaching bench and a well-structured preparation plan, the Vietnam women’s national team will continue to demonstrate unity, resilience, and ambition, thereby reinforcing their standing on the Asian football stage.
All matches of the Vietnam women’s national team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be played at Perth Rectangular Stadium. The group-stage schedule (Vietnam time) is as follows: Vietnam vs India at 18:00 on March 4, 2026; Vietnam vs Chinese Taipei at 12:00 on March 7, 2026; and Vietnam vs Japan at 16:00 on March 10, 2026.
Hong Phuc
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