Latest schedule for the Vietnam U17 football team at the 2026 AFC U17 Championship.
The latest schedule for the Vietnam U17 football team at the 2026 AFC U17 Championship, taking place in Saudi Arabia from May 5th to May 22nd, has been released. The youth team aims to advance beyond the group stage to qualify for the U17 World Cup.
Vietnam U17's schedule at the 2026 AFC U17 Championship.
The Vietnam U17 team will play three group stage matches at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The specific schedule for coach Cristiano Roland's team is as follows:
| Match Day | Vietnam time | Match pair | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/5/2026 | 0h00 | Vietnam U17 vs Yemen U17 | Round 1, Group C |
| 10/5/2026 | 23:00 | Vietnam U17 vs. South Korea U17 | Round 2, Group C |
| 14/5/2026 | 0h00 | Vietnam U17 vs UAE U17 | Round 3, Group C |
Format and objectives of the Vietnam U17 team.
The 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals will feature 16 teams, divided into 4 groups. The top two teams in each group will not only qualify for the quarterfinals but also secure a spot in the 2026 U17 World Cup. A realistic goal for the Vietnam U17 team is to finish in the top two of their group to secure their own qualification.
Even if they finish third in Group C, the Vietnam U17 team still has a chance to qualify for the World Cup based on the third-place ranking. Specifically, if Qatar U17 advances from the group stage, the Vietnamese team still has a chance to win a World Cup ticket if they become the best third-placed team in the tournament.
The Vietnam U17 team is predicted to face many difficulties as they are drawn in Group C with South Korea U17, UAE U17, and Yemen U17. This is a very tough group, as all three opponents are experienced and possess superior physical fitness compared to the average level of the tournament.
Of the remaining three teams, the South Korean U17 team is considered the toughest contender, with a tradition of top-tier youth development in the continent. Therefore, competing for second place in the group becomes a more feasible path for the Vietnamese representative, rather than trying to challenge the South Koreans for first place.
Vietnam U17's impressive form before the tournament.
Before stepping onto the continental stage, the Vietnam U17 team won the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship. This momentum and confidence gained from their regional achievement is a crucial foundation, preparing the young players to face top teams in Asia.
In the 2026 U17 Asian Championship qualifiers held in November 2025, this youth team had a winning streak, securing all 5 matches and earning a perfect 15 points. They scored 30 goals and conceded none, confidently advancing to the finals as group winners.
The Vietnam U17 team departed from Hanoi at 2:00 AM on May 1st, made a layover in Doha, and arrived in Jeddah at 10:00 AM local time the same day, which is 2:00 PM Vietnam time. Upon arrival, the players officially began their final preparations for the 2026 AFC U17 Championship.
The 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals will take place from May 5th to 22nd at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This is also the home stadium for the Vietnam U17 team throughout the three group stage matches.
