Southeast Asian fans collectively reacted when Vietnam decided not to send the U23 team to ASIAD 2026.

The Vietnam Football Federation's choice to field the U21 team at ASIAD 2026 rather than the U23 side instantly triggered a strong wave of discussion among Southeast Asian fans, drawing varied praise and criticism.

On December 25th, the Vietnam Football Federation agreed upon the plan to deploy the national U21 team for ASIAD 2026 held in Japan. Instead of utilizing the Olympic team registration right which allows U23 players plus three overage players as per regulations, Vietnam opted for a more cautious approach, focusing on long-term goals for SEA Games 34 in 2027 and beyond, including the 2028 U23 Asian Championship and the Olympic dream.

This information quickly spread across regional football forums, sparking diverse reactions. Some Southeast Asian fans viewed this as a bold and strategically clear decision.

A user from Thailand commented: “Vietnam is thinking beyond immediate results; they are willing to sacrifice ASIAD to prepare for the next cycle, something not every team dares to do.”. Many opinions from Indonesia also agreed, believing that giving young players exposure in a major tournament will bring long-term benefits.

On the other hand, quite a few fans in the region expressed skepticism. A comment from Malaysia stated “ASIAD is a major tournament; not using the strongest team is like giving up the chance to assert their position.”. Some others felt Vietnam was taking too big a risk by abandoning the model that made an impact at ASIAD 2018.

Fans from the Philippines viewed the issue differently. One user wrote: “Using the U21 team reduces pressure for results, but if they suffer heavy defeats, the domestic public in Vietnam will surely find it hard to accept.”. Meanwhile, neutral opinions remarked “This decision shows Vietnam is prioritizing system development over chasing a single tournament.”.

From Vietnam’s side, the personnel plan for the U21 team at ASIAD is considered quite flexible. Some players currently eligible for U21 from the existing U23 squad can still participate, combined with young talents from U19 and U20. This approach ensures a competitive lineup while also aiming to build experience for the core players in SEA Games 34.

The debate among Southeast Asian fans also reflects a shift in perspective about ASIAD. With scheduling conflicts during FIFA Days and pressure from other major tournaments, many regional football associations are reconsidering the actual value of this competition. A Singaporean fan commented: “It’s not always wise to go all out for ASIAD, especially when the bigger goal lies at the Olympics.”.

Whether praised or criticized, Vietnam’s decision has clearly made an impact in the region. ASIAD 2026 thus is not only a matter of sports but also a test of Vietnam's long-term football development thinking under the scrutiny of Southeast Asia.