Vietnam drawn in group with hosts Saudi Arabia at 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup

The Vietnam U23 team has qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals for the sixth consecutive time. (Photo: VNA)

The tournament will take place from January 6–24, 2026 in Saudi Arabia, featuring 16 teams divided into four groups. The top two from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

Vietnam faces a challenging path in Group A, competing with Saudi Arabia – champions in 2022, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan. Group B includes defending champions Japan, Qatar, the UAE, and Syria.

Group C features Uzbekistan (2018 champions), the Republic of Korea (2020 champions), Iran, and debutants Lebanon. Group D sees Iraq (2013 champions), Australia, Thailand, and China.

This will be Vietnam’s sixth consecutive appearance at the continental finals. The team secured qualification by winning all three matches in Group C of the qualifiers, defeating Bangladesh, Singapore, and Yemen.

The result highlights the steady progress of Vietnam’s youth football and raises expectations for coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad to build on the historic 2018 runner-up finish./.

VNA

Source: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-drawn-in-group-with-hosts-saudi-arabia-at-2026-afc-u23-asian-cup-post329707.vnp