Vietnam U23 adjusts plans for ASIAD 2026, will miss the Four Nations Tournament in China.

The Vietnam U23 team will not participate in the CFA Team China U23 2026 international friendly tournament taking place at the end of March. This is a strategic decision in the preparation plan of Vietnamese youth football, aiming towards the main goal at the 2026 Asian Games.

Thailand replaced Vietnam's U23 team at the tournament in Xi'an.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has officially announced the list of four teams participating in the international friendly tournament held in Xi'an from March 25 to 31. The list includes host nation China U23, Iran U23, North Korea U23, and Thailand U23. The inclusion of Thailand instead of Vietnam U23 is a surprise, as there had been much speculation that coach Kim Sang-sik's team would participate in the tournament.

History of confrontation and changes in the direction of friction.

The absence of the Vietnam U23 team in Xi'an leaves many fans disappointed. During the 2024-2025 period, Vietnam was a familiar partner of Chinese youth football in the Four Nations Tournament. Notably, in last year's tournament, the Vietnam U23 team defeated host China 1-0. However, in official competitions, the Chinese U23 team still demonstrated their strength, having previously overcome the Vietnam U23 team in the semi-finals of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.

Furthermore, the CFA's selection of opponents like Iran and Thailand reflects a focus on exploring new playing styles. This allows the host team to diversify their tactical options while also providing other teams with opportunities to gain international experience instead of repeating familiar regional opponents.

The focus of preparations is on achieving the ASIAD 2026 goal.

Instead of traveling to China, the Vietnam U23 team will most likely focus on training domestically in March to assess their squad. According to the plan, the main component of this training camp will be the group of U21 players included in the long-term plan for the 2026 Asian Games. This is a necessary step for the coaching staff to evaluate personnel in detail and build a stable team structure.

Furthermore, focusing on training domestically allows coach Kim Sang Sik and his colleagues better conditions for shaping the playing style and conducting in-depth tactical exercises. This process is expected to help young players internalize the new football philosophy, preparing them mentally for greater challenges in the near future. It is clear that, despite missing the tournament in Xi'an, the Vietnam U23 team's roadmap is still being carefully planned to ensure they reach peak performance for the continental competition.