Waiting for Vietnam U17's World Cup qualification.
Following their convincing victory at the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship, the Vietnam U17 team is facing a historic opportunity, needing only to defeat the UAE U17 team in the final match of Group C at the 2026 Asian U17 Championship to secure a ticket to the 2026 U17 World Cup.
Báo Xây dựng•12/05/2026
From the throne of Southeast Asia
Winning the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship not only brings pride to Vietnamese youth football but also further affirms the leading position of the Vietnamese U17 team in the region, claiming the top spot for the fourth time. This is a well-deserved achievement for the systematic preparation and persistent efforts of coach Cristiano Roland and his team throughout the past period.
Vietnam U17 reaffirmed its position as the number one team in the region with its fourth championship title.
However, the greatest value of the championship lies not simply in the trophy or the impressive series of achievements, but in the way the Vietnam U17 team performed on their journey to victory.
The young team in red jerseys showed remarkable maturity in their playing style, maintaining discipline and adapting to each opponent. This is especially important for a young team aiming for a bigger stage: the 2026 AFC U17 Championship Finals.
One of the most positive aspects of the Vietnam U17 team is the diversity in their approach to the game. The team doesn't rely on a single fixed attacking strategy but can flexibly exploit the flanks, organize central midfield combinations, or take advantage of set pieces to create breakthroughs. More importantly, every tactic is part of a clear operational system rather than relying on individual inspiration.
Furthermore, coach Cristiano Roland's influence is clearly evident in his approach to building the team's playing style. The Brazilian coach doesn't focus too much on elaborate tactics, but prioritizes efficiency and the specific roles of each player on the field. For a young team, maintaining a stable tactical structure and fostering team cohesion is extremely important.
Therefore, Vietnam U17's 16-match unbeaten streak is not simply a period of high performance, but reflects a process of focused accumulation and development.
The dream is not far-fetched.
Expert Doan Minh Xuong believes that the current generation of players not only possesses good technique but also remarkable mental fortitude. They know how to control their emotions, maintain tactical discipline, and keep a high level of concentration in big matches. This is precisely the factor that has caused Vietnamese youth football to stumble many times in the past.
Vietnam U17 team's 1-0 victory over Yemen U17 in their opening match in Group C of the 2026 AFC U17 Championship.
The Southeast Asian championship title is therefore not the end point, but the beginning of a new cycle of development.
From the success of the U20 team at the 2017 World Cup or the U23 team that achieved a miracle in Changzhou, to the current U17 generation, Vietnamese football is gradually forming a clear system of succession between the different levels of national teams.
Mr. Xương believes that, with continued investment in the right direction, a consistent international competition environment, and a long-term training philosophy, the current U17 team can absolutely become the foundation for the national team in the future.
"The sweet fruits we've achieved so far confirm that Vietnamese youth football is on the right path, where new talents are constantly emerging, ready to bring our national football closer to the World Cup goal, a dream that once seemed so far away," Mr. Xương shared.
Confident in your abilities
In the 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals, Vietnam U17 currently has 3 points thanks to a win against Yemen (1-0) and a loss against South Korea (1-4). With this situation, Vietnam U17 only needs to defeat UAE in the final match to secure a place in the top two of the group and achieve their goal of qualifying for the U17 World Cup.
Regarding the Vietnamese U17 team's chances of competing for a ticket to the 2026 U17 World Cup, commentator Quang Huy stated: "In football, anything can happen. The opponents are all very strong, but that doesn't mean the Vietnamese U17 team is inferior to them; we also have a very high-quality generation of players."
According to Mr. Huy, Vietnamese youth football has had resounding successes in Asia in the past, and that will be a driving force. The current U17 Vietnamese team not only has good individual technique but also shows progress in physique and fitness.
"We've just had a successful Southeast Asian U17 Championship, which served as a warm-up for the Asian Championship. With their skills and competitive spirit, I believe our young players will perform even better in this tournament."
"I think young players should just give it their all and not overthink things. Who knows, the more they play, the more potential they will reveal. My view is to encourage young players to play with a relaxed mindset," commentator Quang Huy remarked.
Assessing the UAE and the Vietnamese team's chances of advancing, coach Phan Thanh Hung said: "Vietnam currently has a very high-quality generation of players who have been playing well recently. Meanwhile, the UAE U17 team doesn't have a very high level of skill, and the fact that they only have 1 point after two matches is proof of that."
"UAE is not a very strong opponent, and we are perfectly capable of securing a victory," Mr. Hung said.
The AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 finals will take place in Saudi Arabia from May 5-22, featuring 15 teams.
Fifteen teams are divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals and automatically qualify for the 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar.
If Qatar (the host nation of the U17 World Cup) advances from the group stage, the remaining spot will go to the best-performing third-placed team.
Thus, 15 teams will compete for 9 tickets, meaning that more than half of the participating teams could qualify for the football tournament in Qatar.
In this year's finals, Vietnam U17 is in Group C, along with South Korea U17, UAE U17, and Yemen U17. At 0:00 AM on May 14th, Vietnam U17 will conclude their group stage with a match against UAE U17.
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