The AFC considers Vietnam U23 a contender for the 2026 Asian Championship title.

Ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Finals in Saudi Arabia, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has shown special respect for the Vietnamese U23 team. Instead of just being seen as a team capable of causing an upset, coach Kim Sang Sik's team is now considered a strong contender for the championship.

A new position on the map of youth football in the continent.

In a series of in-depth analyses of the teams participating in this year's tournament, the AFC made a bold assessment by placing the Vietnam U23 team alongside top forces such as defending champions Japan, South Korea, and host nation Saudi Arabia. This is an acknowledgment of the class and strength of Vietnamese youth football in the eyes of international experts.

This high regard is also clearly demonstrated on the AFC's official media platforms. A video of the team's training session was posted with a powerful message: "Vietnam U23 at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship: This is no joke!". This shows that the AFC does not view the appearance of the Vietnamese team as merely an embellishment for the tournament.

Drawing on historical foundations and thorough preparation

Explaining Vietnam U23's status as a contender, the AFC repeatedly cited the historic milestone of the "Changzhou Miracle 2018." Their tenacious run to the final, only narrowly losing to Uzbekistan, is the clearest evidence of the Golden Star Warriors' resilience on the continental stage. The AFC believes that the current generation of players, with outstanding talents like Khuất Văn Khang, possesses all the qualities to replicate that historic journey.

From a professional standpoint, the Vietnamese U23 team's preparations are being carried out systematically. The entire team is currently in Qatar for the final training camp, focusing on perfecting tactical formations and helping players adapt to the West Asian climate.

Schedule leading up to the opening match

Before officially embarking on their campaign to conquer the championship, coach Kim Sang Sik and his team will have an important test in a friendly match against U23 Syria at 7:00 PM on December 30th. This is the last opportunity for the coaching staff to assess the squad and finalize the optimal roster.

In the group stage, Vietnam U23 is in Group A and will play their opening match against Jordan U23 on January 6, 2026. With recognition from the AFC and serious preparation, the team has a great opportunity to assert its position in the continent's biggest tournament for the U23 age group.