VFF clarifies the reason for sending the Vietnam U21 team to Asiad 20

The leadership of the Vietnam Football Federation explained the proposal to send the Vietnam U21 team to participate in the 20th Asian Games - Asiad 20.

At the 11th Executive Committee meeting of the Vietnam Football Federation, term IX (2022-2026) on December 25, many important reports and drafts were discussed and approved for presentation at the Congress, including: Agreement on the proposal to send the national U21 team to compete in the 2026 Asian Games to effectively prepare for key tasks in the near future, including the 34th SEA Games in 2027 hosted by Malaysia. This proposal from the Vietnam Football Federation has sparked mixed reactions. In response, Vice President Nguyễn Xuân Vũ stated:

“The Executive Committee agreed to send the U21 team to Asiad 2026 because in 2027 this group will be eligible to play in the SEA Games in Malaysia, followed by preparation for the 2028 Olympic qualifiers. Most countries like Japan and South Korea also send U20 teams to prepare for bigger tournaments such as the Olympics."

“We will need to submit a formal request to the General Department of Sports and Physical Training regarding this decision. If the U21 team’s performance at Asiad 2026 is not satisfactory, it must be accepted as this authority belongs to the Department, not just the Federation,” added Vice President Nguyễn Xuân Vũ.

At Asiad 19 in Hangzhou (China), the Vietnam Football Federation also sent the Olympic team, mainly composed of U20 players, notably including Khuất Văn Khang, Thanh Nhàn, Thái Sơn, Đình Bắc, Phi Hoàng, Bùi Vĩ Hào... That group of players now has become the core of the Vietnam U22/U23 team, securing the Southeast Asian U23 Championship title and the gold medal at SEA Games 33, while also advancing past the U23 Asian qualifiers for 2026.

Currently, within the Vietnam U23 squad preparing for the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals, five players qualify to join the U21 roster for ASIAD, including Nguyễn Tân (Goalkeeper), Cao Văn Bình (Goalkeeper), Lê Văn Thuận (Midfielder), Nguyễn Công Phương (Midfielder), and Nguyễn Lê Phát (Forward).

Additionally, the Vietnam U21 team will definitely add players from the U19, U20, or even U17 age groups.

Up to now, the decision to send the U21 team to Asiad 2026 is only a proposal from the VFF Executive Committee, awaiting official approval from the General Department of Sports and Physical Training.