Vietnam's U23 team awaits the draw for the Asian Games football event on July 23.

The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is now in the home stretch of preparations, with host Japan regularly announcing important dates before the September 19 start. Vietnamese football is particularly eyeing the football draw, set to take place on July 23.

According to information from the host country, July 23 is the date when the group pairings for eight team sports, including football, will be determined. This will be a significant milestone for Vietnam's U23 team as they prepare for the 20th Asian Games.

Vietnam's U23 team secured their spot in the men's football event of the 20th Asian Games thanks to an impressive performance at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. Coach Kim Sang Sik's side won all their group stage matches, defeated UAE 3-2 in extra time in the quarterfinals, and eventually claimed third place in Asia. This achievement further solidifies young Vietnamese football's standing among the continent's competitive teams.

According to the announced organization plan, the men's football event at the 20th Asian Games will feature 16 teams. Vietnam's U23 team is among the qualified sides from the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, alongside strong football nations such as Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and Uzbekistan. From Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Thailand are the two representatives.

Notably, Vietnam's squad planning for the 20th Asian Games follows a long-term strategy. Rather than focusing solely on immediate results, the team is expected to prioritize young players, with a core group from the U21 generation, aiming toward the 2027 SEA Games and beyond, including the 2028 Olympic qualifiers.

However, personnel adjustments may still be made to enhance competitiveness. Some standout players from Vietnam's U23 team, who just experienced a successful campaign at the AFC U23 Asian Cup, could become key elements in the preparation plan for the 20th Asian Games.

Among them, Nguyen Dinh Bac is a notable figure. The forward won the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Golden Boot with four goals and two assists. Besides Dinh Bac, the U23 squad that secured third place in Asia includes many players who have gained international experience and could form an experienced backbone for the young team.

In March, Vietnam's U23 team continued to gain international exposure at the CFA Team China 2026 tournament in Xi'an, facing North Korea's U23, Thailand's U23, and host China's U23. This was part of the evaluation process for Vietnam's young talent pool.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has also identified the 2026 Asian Games as a key task for Vietnamese football in the final six months of the year, alongside the 2026 AFF Cup, the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, and the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup finals.

Meanwhile, preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Japan are accelerating. The event runs from September 19 to October 4, with competitions held at 53 venues. The schedule may still be adjusted during coordination with international sports federations.

For Vietnam's U23 team, the draw on July 23 will clarify their opponents and path at the 20th Asian Games. Following a bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, the young Vietnamese side now faces another major stage in Japan, where the goal of developing future talent will go hand in hand with maintaining competitiveness at the continental level.