Which tournaments will the Vietnamese teams participate in during 2026?

The year 2026 is set to be a hectic and demanding year for Vietnamese football, as both national teams and clubs take part in a series of significant international and local competitions.

At the start of the new year, the Vietnam U23 team will be in the spotlight by participating in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals, held from January 6 to January 24 in Saudi Arabia. This tournament is crucial not only for gaining experience but also as a chance to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. In this competition, Vietnam U23 is placed in Group A alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan — a group considered manageable yet challenging.

In March, all attention will focus on the critical match between Vietnam’s national team and Malaysia at home during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. If the AFC rules against Malaysia due to illegal naturalization, the Vietnamese squad led by coach Kim Sang Sik will have a strong chance to advance, possibly even skipping the second leg if Malaysia is banned from competition.

Following that, the team will defend their title at the 2026 ASEAN Cup (AFF Cup), expected to take place from July 24 to August 26. The draw will be held on January 15, and the "Golden Star Warriors" aim to maintain their top position in Southeast Asia after their 2024 championship victory.

For the Vietnam women’s team, 2026 marks participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia from March 1 to March 21. The Vietnamese players will face India (March 4), Chinese Taipei (March 7), and Japan (March 10) in the group stage, aiming to cause upsets against strong opponents.

Additionally, the women’s team will compete in the ASEAN Women’s Cup and the Asian Games (ASIAD). Meanwhile, the men’s football program is focusing on sending the Vietnam U21 team to the Asian Games (ASIAD 20) as preparation for the SEA Games and, further ahead, the 2028 Olympics. The Vietnam U21 team will participate in the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD) aiming to build strength for future SEA Games and the 2028 Olympic competition.

Meanwhile, youth teams such as the U17 and U20 squads for both men and women are also aiming for significant goals in the Asian championships.

Futsal for both men and women is equally active. The men’s futsal team will compete in the Asian Futsal Cup in Indonesia from January 27 to February 7, placed in Group B with Thailand, Kuwait, and Lebanon. The women’s team will participate in the Southeast Asian Championship.

Furthermore, the men’s beach soccer team will take part in both the Southeast Asian and Asian championships.

The year 2026 will offer Vietnamese football the opportunity to assert its position in Southeast Asia and seek new prospects on the Asian stage, especially through youth and futsal competitions. Hopefully, the teams will achieve proud results, continuing the momentum from 2025.