5 historical milestones that propelled Vietnamese football to the World Cup.
With the thrilling victory of the U17 team on the morning of May 14th, Vietnamese football officially marked its 5th appearance at the biggest football tournament on the planet at various levels.
In the early morning of May 14, 2026, Vietnamese football once again brought joy to fans as the U17 team officially secured a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026. This achievement is not just a single success but also marks the fifth time that national teams at all levels have competed on the biggest stage in the world, affirming the strong rise of Vietnamese football on the global map.
Vietnam U17 and their dramatic comeback in 2026
Under the guidance of coach Cristiano Roland, the young Vietnamese players created an emotional journey at the Asian Championship finals. The 3-2 victory against the UAE U17 team not only secured a ticket to the World Cup in Qatar but also showcased a skillful and resilient style of play. New faces like Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc and Manh Cuong are becoming new hopes, continuing the spirit of previous generations.
The Futsal earthquake in Colombia 2016
The first milestone paving the way for the World Cup dream was the Vietnamese Futsal team at the 2016 Games. Under coach Bruno Garcia, Vietnam caused a shock in their opening match by defeating Guatemala 4-2. Nguyen Minh Tri's hat-trick that year completely changed the international perception of the status of Vietnamese Futsal. Reaching the Round of 16 and receiving the "Team of the Fair Play" award was a historic turning point for the development of indoor football.
The miracle of the 2017 U20 World Cup and the golden generation.
2017 marked a turning point for 11-a-side football when the Vietnam U20 team proudly advanced to the FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea. Under the guidance of coach Hoang Anh Tuan, a generation with names like Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Doan Van Hau made history. A 0-0 draw against New Zealand U20 made Vietnam the first team from Southeast Asia to earn a point in this tournament, leaving a strong impression of discipline and physical fitness.
Futsal prowess in Lithuania 2021
Despite the obstacles posed by the global pandemic, the Vietnamese Futsal team once again asserted its dominance by securing a spot in the 2021 World Cup. The team continued to amaze by advancing through the group stage with a courageous 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. The tournament also featured a spectacular goal by Nguyen Van Hieu against Panama – a goal voted the best of the tournament by FIFA. Although they were eliminated by Russia in the Round of 16 with a narrow 2-3 defeat, the Golden Star Warriors left behind an unforgettable image of unwavering resilience.
The "diamond girls" at the 2023 World Cup
One of the most glorious chapters in history is undoubtedly the Vietnamese women's national team's performance at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team realized a decades-long dream after a dramatic Asian Cup play-off round. Despite being in a group with defending champions USA and the Netherlands, the female players still fought with great effort. The moment goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh saved a penalty kick from legendary Alex Morgan became a symbol of the never-give-up spirit of Vietnamese women on the international stage.
These five glorious milestones are the result of a long journey of systematic youth training and the unwavering aspiration of Vietnamese football to reach new heights, promising even more brilliant successes in the future.
