Vietnam U23 at 2026 Asian Games: Quarterfinals as Target, Future as Measure

The quarterfinals are wide open. The VFF has set a target of reaching the quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games, and this milestone is well within the capability of Vietnam U23, given the current squad. Among the 23 players, 16 have been part of the July training camp. That period of working together has created a certain stability, from tactical operation to understanding between positions. The seven new faces compared to the last camp – including Ly Duc, Quang Kiet, Pham Minh Phuc, Le Phat, Ngoc My – are not rookies either. Most of the 23 players attending the Asian Games have already played one or two seasons in the V-League, in addition to experiences at youth levels or most recently the U23 Asian Championship. Therefore, entering the Asian Games, the red-shirted team remains among the most experienced squads. Being grouped with Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and the Philippines is certainly not easy. Uzbekistan is the most formidable opponent, but the opportunity to compete for the top two positions remains open. If they make good use of matches against Kuwait and the Philippines, coach Dinh Hong Vinh's students can secure a ticket to the quarterfinals. Even more, Vietnam U23 can aim to replicate the achievements of their predecessors, i.e., reaching the semifinals or even winning a medal. But the quarterfinals are not the final destination. How far Vietnam U23 will go at the 2026 Asian Games remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: head coach Kim Sang Sik is using this continental sports festival as another test for the U23 generation that won the bronze medal at the U23 Asian Championship earlier this year. That is also why the VFF and coach Kim Sang Sik changed the plan from a U21 squad to nearly the strongest lineup – a decision that goes beyond just one tournament. Specifically, coach Kim Sang Sik must have already made calculations for the future of the Vietnam national team after the 2027 Asian Cup. Naturally, the current U23 players are part of that plan. To have a chance, the U23 players must put themselves in the Korean strategist's sights through their performances against quality opponents at this Asian Games. Of course, the Asian Games is just one of many tests for Vietnam U23 players, alongside consistent performances in the V-League or the newly started First Division season. It is clear that the Asian Games is not a direct ticket to the senior national team, but it is considered a key for Vietnam U23 to prove their ability to coach Kim Sang Sik as well as club coaches. Only by gradually securing starting spots in the V-League will the door to the national team open wider.