U23 Vietnam is about to learn its opponents at ASIAD 2026, with a major challenge approaching

The draw for the men's football tournament of ASIAD 2026 is scheduled for July 23, which will help U23 Vietnam determine their opponents and journey at the Asian Games.

Following their success at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, Vietnam's youth football team is now focusing on another significant challenge: the men's football event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 ASIAD. According to organizers, the group stage draw will be held on July 23.

This is regarded as a crucial milestone in U23 Vietnam's preparations before the Games begin in Japan from September 19 to October 4. The draw outcome will partly determine the level of difficulty for U23 Vietnam. Based on the announced organization plan, the men's football event at ASIAD 2026 will feature 16 teams, all of which participated in the 2026 U23 Asian Cup.

U23 Vietnam earned their spot at ASIAD 2026 with a remarkable performance at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup. Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad won all their group stage matches, overcame the UAE 3-2 in extra time during the quarterfinals, and concluded the tournament with a historic bronze medal. This result further solidifies Vietnam's position among the competitive youth teams in Asia.

At ASIAD 2026, U23 Vietnam will face formidable opponents such as Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and Uzbekistan. Initially, only Vietnam and Thailand were the Southeast Asian representatives qualified for the men's football event. However, U23 Philippines has recently been officially granted a spot after India withdrew.

In addition to competing at the Games, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has also developed a long-term plan for the team. According to the current direction, U23 Vietnam will prioritize using young talent, with the core being players from the U21 age group, aiming toward the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia and the 2028 Olympic qualifiers in LA. Nevertheless, the coaching staff may still add some experienced faces to boost competitiveness.

Among them, Nguyen Dinh Bac is anticipated to remain the spearhead of the attack after earning the 2026 U23 Asian Cup Golden Boot with 4 goals and 2 assists. Alongside the 2004-born striker, many players who contributed to the Asian bronze medal are also seen as key figures in the coaching staff's plans.

Earlier, U23 Vietnam also had international experience at the CFA Team China 2026, facing U23 North Korea, U23 Thailand, and U23 China. This is considered a necessary step for the coaching staff to evaluate the squad and finalize the lineup ahead of ASIAD 2026.

Given what they have shown recently, U23 Vietnam is expected to continue making an impact on the continental stage. Looking ahead, the draw on July 23 will be a key milestone, opening a new chapter for Vietnamese men's football at ASIAD 2026.