Vietnam U23 kicks off their campaign at the 'sacred ground' of El Clasico in the AFC U23 Asian Championship.
Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team will begin their journey in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship at the King Abdullah Stadium, the venue that recently witnessed a fiery El Clasico match.
The Vietnam U23 team will officially begin their campaign in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship at one of the most iconic sports architectural landmarks in the Middle East. According to the schedule, the team will play their opening match against Jordan U23 at the King Abdullah Stadium (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) – the venue that recently hosted the classic Spanish Super Cup match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The stadium hosting El Clasico: The 'jewel' of Middle Eastern football.
The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as Al Jawhara (Shining Jewel), is a modern architectural marvel. With a capacity of up to 65,000 seats, it is not only the home stadium of top clubs like Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli but also a leading choice for major international events.
Before welcoming the Golden Star Warriors, this stadium witnessed an emotional comeback by Barcelona against Real Madrid. The high-scoring match, with five goals scored, confirmed the world-class quality of its infrastructure, from the FIFA-standard pitch to the lightweight steel roof system that regulates the air temperature in extreme conditions.
The challenge from U23 Jordan and the pressure of history.
Vietnam U23's opening match in Group A will take place at 6:30 PM (Vietnam time) on January 6, 2026. Their opponent, Jordan U23, is no stranger to Vietnamese football, but always presents a tough challenge due to their physically demanding and technically skilled playing style characteristic of the Gulf region.
Looking at the history of their encounters at the U23 level, Jordan holds a slight advantage with a 3-1 victory in 2016 and a goalless draw in 2020. However, playing on a world-class pitch like Al Jawhara is expected to help the Vietnamese players best showcase their ball control skills and tactical thinking that coach Kim Sang-sik is developing.
The personnel problem after Thanh Nhàn's injury.
Besides the stadium conditions, the U23 Vietnam team's preparations are facing a setback as striker Thanh Nhàn has officially withdrawn from the tournament due to a torn calf muscle. This is a significant loss as Thanh Nhàn is a crucial element in the team's attacking strategy.
Currently, the coaching staff is considering three potential players to fill the gap on the wing. Rapid adaptation to the playing conditions in Jeddah and the pressure of the 60,000-seat stadium will be key for the Vietnam U23 team to achieve a positive result in their opening match.
