2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers: Waiting for new features from U23 Vietnam

U23 Vietnam will have their opening match in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers against Bangladesh tomorrow, September 3. The two remaining opponents in Group C, Singapore and Yemen, are not too strong.

The goal of qualifying for the finals is therefore not considered too difficult for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team, if not to say it is within reach. Even in the worst case scenario, U23 Vietnam still has a chance to enter the group of 4 second-placed teams with the best results.

The U23 Vietnam squad participating in the tournament includes almost all the strongest players, who have just won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 tournament in Indonesia. They are Khuat Van Khang, Cong Phuong, Dinh Bac, Pham Ly Duc, Quoc Viet, Thai Son...

However, the bigger goal for the Vietnam U23 team is probably not just about winning a ticket to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Going forward, experts believe that the more important thing for coach Kim Sang-sil is to continue building a strong framework for the Vietnam U23 team to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games (Thailand). This is the most important arena for Vietnamese football this year.

Thailand, as the host, is expected to be the toughest opponent. Besides, Indonesia also does not hide its ambition to create a surprise. Although not public, VFF and Mr. Kim Sang-sik clearly want to win back the lost gold medal at SEA Games 32.

New look of rookie

Winning the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship is a great success for U23 Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team played with great effort with the brilliance of many young stars. The tournament in Indonesia also showed that Vietnamese football has many promising new faces.

The 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers will be an opportunity for coach Kim Sang-sik to once again evaluate the professional level and potential of the above players. Experts also expect that Mr. Kim Sang-sik's team will show new features, a more diverse and dedicated playing style with overseas Vietnamese faces in the squad, such as Viktor Le and Tran Thanh Trung.

Thanh Trung's presence helps coach Kim Sang-sik have more options for the U23 Vietnam midfield (photo VNN)

In fact, the teams led by coach Kim Sang-sik are not highly rated for their comprehensive and diverse attacking ability as well as their ability to put pressure on the opponent. Because of this, when familiar opponents in the area actively play defense, U23 Vietnam often faces difficulties.

Facing new opponents like Bangladesh or Yemen, the U23 Vietnam attack will have the opportunity to hone its skills, become sharper and more effective.