Vietnam women's team to face Japan and India at Asian Cup 2026

Vietnam women's team has a wide open door to the 2027 World Cup. Photo: VFF

Among the above teams, Japan is definitely considered the strongest candidate for the top spot. Meanwhile, coach Mai Duc Chung's team is somewhat rated higher than the other two opponents and can aim for the second position.

Present at the draw ceremony, coach Mai Duc Chung said: “In my opinion, Japan is still the strongest team in Asia. I think they will win first place in Group C. The Vietnamese women's team will have to compete for second place with the remaining two opponents, India and Taiwan (China). These opponents are all strong and will be difficult challenges. We need to be well prepared and highly determined in the upcoming Final Round.”

Vietnam's representatives attending the draw ceremony included VFF Vice President Nguyen Thanh Ha; Coach Mai Duc Chung (far right) and captain Huynh Nhu. Photo: VFF

Meanwhile, player Huynh Nhu is excited about the upcoming opponents of the Vietnamese women's team in the Final Round, taking place in March next year. "The opponents in the group are quite familiar to the Vietnamese women's team. Nhu thinks this is a group where we are completely capable of getting a ticket to the quarter-finals."

Not only is the 2026 Women's Asian Cup the most competitive tournament in the region, it will also serve as a qualifying round for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, scheduled to take place in Brazil.

Asian Cup 2026 finals draw results. Photo VFF

According to the competition format, after the group stage, the top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals. In addition, the two third-placed teams with the best records in the three groups will also advance.

In the knockout round, the four winners of the quarter-finals will advance to the semi-finals and also qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Of the four losing quarter-finalists, two will win a play-off to qualify for Brazil.

Thus, a total of six Asian teams have directly qualified for the biggest football festival on the planet. Meanwhile, the two teams ranked 7th and 8th will enter the intercontinental play-off round organized by FIFA to compete for the remaining spots.

The 2026 Women's Asian Cup is expected to kick off in early March 2026 in Australia. This will be a big stage for teams to showcase their abilities and assert their positions, in which the Vietnamese women's team carries many expectations from fans with the goal of making a mark in the continental arena.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/tuyen-nu-viet-nam-doi-dau-nhat-ban-va-an-do-tai-asian-cup-2026-710781.html