U23 Vietnam holds its breath waiting to learn its opponents at the 2026 Asian Games.

U23 Vietnam and the Vietnam women's national team will find out their rivals when the football draw ceremony is held at noon today, July 23.

The draw for the group stage of men's and women's football at the 20th Asian Games will be conducted at 11:00 AM on July 23 in Japan. U23 Vietnam enters the competition with an advantageous position, being placed in Pot 1, while the Vietnam women's team is seeded in Pot 3.

For the men's football event, Iraq's last-minute withdrawal has reduced the tournament to 15 teams. They will be split into four groups, one of which will contain only three teams. U23 Vietnam is in the top seeding pot alongside hosts Japan, China, and South Korea, so it will definitely avoid facing these three opponents in the group stage.

The seeding was determined based on results at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. U23 Vietnam earned its place in Pot 1 thanks to reaching the semifinals and winning the bronze medal. In the third-place match, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team drew 2-2 with South Korea's U23 after 120 minutes and then triumphed 7-6 in the penalty shootout.

Although avoiding the strongest teams, U23 Vietnam still risks being drawn into a difficult group. Pot 2 consists of Uzbekistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. Pot 3 includes Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and the Philippines, while Pot 4 contains Kuwait, Hong Kong, and North Korea. Therefore, the draw could still place the Vietnamese representatives in a group with several formidable opponents.

The U23 Vietnam team for the 2026 Asian Games is expected to consist of players aged between 21 and 23, as part of a long-term development plan. Interim head coach Dinh Hong Vinh is likely to lead the team because Coach Kim Sang-sik will be busy with the senior Vietnam team for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. The men's football competition is for players born on or after January 1, 2003, and each team can include up to three overage players.

In the women's football event, 12 teams will be divided into three groups. The Vietnam women's team is in Pot 3 alongside Uzbekistan and Bangladesh. Pot 1 comprises Japan, China, and South Korea; Pot 2 features North Korea, the Philippines, and Chinese Taipei; Pot 4 includes Myanmar, Thailand, and Hong Kong. After parting ways with Coach Mai Duc Chung, the team will be led by Coach Hoang Van Phuc. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.