Vietnam's U16 and U19 futsal teams to participate in AFF 2025: draw and match schedule.
The AFF has drawn lots for the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 and U16 Futsal Championships in Nonthaburi; Vietnam U19 will face Thailand and Brunei; the U16 teams will play in a round-robin format; both teams will begin training on November 16th.
The Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF) has drawn lots and scheduled matches for two inaugural youth futsal tournaments: the 2025 Southeast Asian U19 and U16 Championships. Vietnam's U19 futsal team is in Group A alongside Thailand and Brunei; Vietnam's U16 team will compete in a round-robin format against Thailand (hosts), Indonesia, Myanmar, and Brunei. Both teams are expected to begin training in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16th to prepare for the tournament.
Draw and schedule
The 2025 Southeast Asian U19 Futsal Championship will take place from December 23rd to 29th, 2025 at the Nonthaburi Provincial Arena (Thailand). Teams will play a round-robin format within their groups, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. The 2025 Southeast Asian U16 Futsal Championship will be held at the same venue, with five teams playing a round-robin format to determine the two finalists and the third and fourth-placed teams competing for third place.
| Tournament | Table/Attendance | Format | Location - Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| U19 Southeast Asian Championship 2025 | Group A: Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei; Group B: Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia | Round-robin format within the group; the top two teams advance to the semi-finals. | Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium (Thailand), December 23-29, 2025 |
| U16 Southeast Asia Championship 2025 | Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei | Round-robin format; top 2 teams advance to the final; third place is between the 3rd and 4th placed teams. | Nonthaburi (Thailand) |
U19: The situation in Group A and the path to the semi-finals
Vietnam is in Group A, which has only three teams. With a round-robin format, every point is crucial due to the limited number of matches and virtually no room for error. The two semi-final spots are shared equally between the two groups, so the realistic goal is to secure a top 2 finish in Group A to advance.
U16: A round-robin tournament to determine true ability.
Five teams play a round-robin format, making the overall strength of each team clearer after each match. The two best-performing teams advance to the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams still have added motivation to compete for the bronze medal. With the matches concentrated at the same location, recovery and fitness management through the match-rest cycle will be key.
Significance for youth futsal in the region and Vietnam.
This is the first time the AFF has organized futsal tournaments for U16 and U19 age groups, filling the gap in international competition at the youth level since the AFC U20 Futsal Championship was suspended in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19. For Vietnam, the annual U19/20 training camps and international competition (including two matches against Russia U19 in 2024) along with the national U20 futsal championship have created a relatively stable foundation for entering this new regional arena.
Preparation plan
According to the plan, the Vietnam U19 and U16 futsal teams will convene in Ho Chi Minh City starting on November 16th. This pre-tournament preparation period provides ample time for training sessions to assemble the team, refine tactics for each format (group stage and round-robin), and develop a rotation plan suitable for the concentrated match schedule in Nonthaburi.
A highlight for fans
- Vietnam U19: Group A with Thailand and Brunei; matches from December 23-29, 2025.
- Vietnam U16: 5 teams in a round-robin format, top 2 advance to the final; third place will be contested by the 3rd and 4th placed teams.
- Both tournaments will be held in Nonthaburi (Thailand); the two Vietnamese teams will be training in Ho Chi Minh City from November 16th.
The two new tournaments in the AFF are not just about the schedule, but also a comprehensive test for the next generation of Vietnamese futsal players in a regional competitive environment, in formats that demand high efficiency in every match.
