Vietnam U17 faces challenges from Belgium and Mali at the 2026 U17 World Cup.
The draw for the 2026 U17 World Cup placed Vietnam in Group G alongside Belgium, Mali, and New Zealand. Coach Cristiano Roland's team will compete against top-tier footballing nations in Qatar later this year.
The 2026 U17 World Cup Finals mark a historic milestone as the Vietnam U17 team officially qualifies for the biggest football tournament on the planet. According to the draw held on the evening of May 21st, coach Cristiano Roland's team is in Group G, which brings together three completely different football styles: European technique, African strength, and the physique of Oceania.
Although they avoided title contenders like Brazil or Argentina, Group G is still considered a major challenge for the Southeast Asian representatives. Each opponent is of a different caliber, requiring thorough preparation in both tactics and mental fortitude.
Belgium U17: A challenge from modern football thinking.
Vietnam U17's first opponent is Belgium U17, a team with one of the best youth training systems in the world. With an estimated squad value of 6.3 million euros, the young "Red Devils" team possesses a modern technical foundation and tactical thinking according to European standards.
Their squad boasts talents from prestigious academies such as Anderlecht, Genk, and Club Brugge. Names like captain Preben Blondeel and striker Jayden Onia Seke are expected to be future stars. This match will be the ultimate test of the style of football that combines European discipline and technical skill, a style that coach Roland is building for his players.
Mali U17: A challenge in terms of fitness and speed.
The top seed in Group G is Mali U17, a true powerhouse at the youth level with 7 World Cup appearances and a runner-up finish in 2015. The African representative is renowned for its aggressive, energetic, and exceptionally fast playing style.
Most notably in the Mali squad is striker Abdoulaye Toure, who is currently leading the top scorer list at the 2026 African U17 Championship. Toure's physical strength and that of his teammates will undoubtedly put the Vietnamese U17 defense, featuring players like Dang Khoa, Manh Cuong, and Anh Hao, under immense pressure. This is considered the most difficult obstacle in our race to qualify for the next round.
New Zealand U17: Opportunity through cunning
Their final opponent is the U17 New Zealand team, a dominant force in the Oceania region with 11 continental championships. Despite possessing good physique and physical fitness, New Zealand is considered to lack experience at the highest level compared to Asian representatives who regularly face Japan or South Korea.
Experts believe that the quality of training at academies like HAGL, PVF, and Hanoi FC is something to be confident about when facing representatives from Oceania. If they make good use of their cunning playing style and skillful individual techniques, the young Vietnamese players have a good chance of achieving a favorable result.
The 2026 U17 World Cup finals will take place in Qatar from November 19th to December 13th. Competing against three diverse football styles will be an invaluable experience for the young generation of Vietnamese players on their journey to international prominence.
