Detailed match schedule for U.23 Vietnam: Advantageous before the 'final' with host Saudi Arabia

The Vietnam U.23 team has a relatively favorable schedule before entering the 'final' match with host Saudi Arabia, in Group A of the U.23 Asian Cup.

Coach Kim Sang-sik wants to help U.23 Vietnam at least pass the group stage of the 2026 U.23 Asian Championship.

Photo: Dong Nguyen Khang

U.23 Vietnam has a favorable roadmap

On the afternoon of October 2, AFC held the draw ceremony for the final round of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, with the result that U23 Vietnam will be in Group A with the host team Saudi Arabia and two very interesting opponents Jordan and Kyrgyzstan.

Next, the 2026 AFC U23 Championship schedule was announced by the AFC and the tournament organizers with a competition roadmap that was considered relatively favorable for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team, with opponents in order of increasing strength.

AFC announces 2026 AFC U-23 Championship schedule

VFF prepares carefully and thoroughly for U.23 Vietnam

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, President of VFF shared: "This is a group that we need to prepare carefully. In addition to the very strong host Saudi Arabia, both U.23 Jordan and U.23 Kyrgyzstan are also very formidable. These two teams will advance as group winners, not as second-place teams with good results. Therefore, they have the strength and the U.23 Vietnam team will face many challenges. VFF and the U.23 Vietnam team will prepare carefully, not only for the 2026 AFC U-23 Championship but also for the 33rd SEA Games taking place at the end of this year."

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan emphasized: "VFF is very proactive in its preparation plan. It has worked with the Qatar Football Federation so that U.23 Vietnam can have two important friendly matches with U.23 Qatar in October 2025. In November 2025, VFF will continue to send U.23 Vietnam to participate in a friendly tournament in China, according to the cooperation plan with the Chinese Football Federation. The tournament will have the host team U.23 China, U.23 Vietnam and expected 2 strong U.23 teams of Asia".

VFF boss reveals U.23 Vietnam's 'huge' plan, determined to do something surprising in Asia

First, on January 7, 2026, U.23 Vietnam will play its opening match against U.23 Jordan - the team that hosted the qualifying round and then finished first with 3 wins against Turkmenistan, Bhutan, and Taiwan.

U.23 Vietnam will play the opening match of the 2026 U.23 Asian Cup on January 7, 2026.

Photo: Minh Tu

Next, on January 10, 2026, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will face Kyrgyzstan, a rookie but also a phenomenon, having finished first in Group E - also hosting the qualifying round - above Uzbekistan, the former 2018 U.23 Asian champion and reaching the finals in 2022 and 2024.

These are considered two matches with increasing difficulty, before U.23 Vietnam enters the final match on October 13 with the host team Saudi Arabia, the strongest opponent in Group A, the champion of the 2022 U.23 Asian Cup and has home field advantage.

This can also be considered the "final" match for the chance to continue for U.23 Vietnam, where coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will do their best for the chance to compete for one of the top two positions in Group A, which means a ticket to the knockout round.

Which channel is the U.23 Asian Cup broadcast on?

The AFC U23 Championship will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to 25, 2026. K+ will broadcast all matches live, including those of Vietnam U23. K+ has exclusive rights to broadcast Asian tournaments that Vietnam football participates in, including the AFC U23 Championship. Any organization wishing to re-broadcast will need to work with K+ to negotiate.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/da-co-lich-thi-dau-chi-tiet-u23-viet-nam-thuan-loi-truoc-chung-ket-voi-chu-nha-a-rap-xe-ut-185251002205046363.htm