Vietnam to host Group C of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers

Group C of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers will take place at Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho) from September 3 to 9. According to the draw results, the Vietnam U23 team is in Group C with opponents Yemen, Singapore and Bangladesh.

U23 Vietnam prepares for a new journey.

Speaking about this tournament, Coach Kim Sang Sik said: “We and our analysis team always closely monitor the players playing abroad. At the same time, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the leaders who have always cared and accompanied the development of Vietnamese football. In particular, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Chairman of Ninh Binh Club - who always shows patriotism, has been and is ready to create conditions and open up opportunities for Vietnamese players playing far from the country to return and continue to contribute to the development of national football.”

Coach Kim Sang Sik.

The Korean coach also expressed hope that the U23 Vietnam team will be motivated in the upcoming matches at Viet Tri Stadium.

“At the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship in Viet Tri in December 2024, as well as the recent 2025 Southeast Asian Women’s Championship in Viet Tri and Hai Phong , we witnessed the stands glowing with the red color of the national flag. It was truly a wonderful image and a great source of motivation for the players. We really hope that the passionate and inspiring atmosphere will continue to be recreated at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers,” he said.

In the list of players for the Vietnam U23 team, the most prominent is player Tran Thanh Trung, born in 2005 in Bulgaria to a Vietnamese family, currently holding dual Vietnamese and Bulgarian citizenship.

He grew up from the CSKA Sofia training center, played professionally since 2013 and played for the Slavia Sofia first team in the Bulgarian National Championship before returning to join Ninh Binh Club in V.League 1-2025/26.

The 1m75 tall player, playing in the central midfielder position, has played 31 matches, scored 2 goals and had 1 assist in the 2024/2025 season.

With a controlling and defensive style of play, Thanh Trung is also among the top 5 young players with the most interceptions in European National Championships (excluding the top 5 leagues). He is also a familiar face in Bulgaria's youth teams, from U17 to U21, and was highly rated by Barcelona scouts as a promising midfielder in Europe.

LPBank officially becomes the main companion of the tournament.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) announced that Loc Phat Vietnam Bank (LPBank) has officially become the main Companion unit.

VFF Vice President Tran Anh Tu highly appreciated LPBank's support as the main companion of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers in Vietnam, considering this a meaningful source of encouragement for both the organization and the Vietnam U23 team.

With support from LPBank, careful preparation and the encouragement of fans, VFF expects U23 Vietnam to confidently conquer the goal of winning a ticket to the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Finals, thereby continuing to affirm the position of Vietnamese football in the continental arena.

VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu affirmed that LPBank's support not only brings practical support for the organization of the tournament, but also is a great spiritual motivation, creating more favorable conditions for the U23 Vietnam team to confidently conquer the goal in the continental arena.

General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu emphasized that youth football is always a priority in VFF's development strategy and LPBank's commitment continues to contribute to promoting that journey.

Regarding the preparation of the Vietnam U23 team for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers, General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu said that as part of the preparation plan for important goals, VFF and head coach Kim Sang Sik have proactively built a long-term strategy.

In recent times, many young players have been given the opportunity to compete internationally, gain experience at FIFA Days, participate in the international U22 tournament in China, and especially achieve great success when U23 Vietnam won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship for the third consecutive time.

That achievement has added confidence and determination to the team before entering the Continental Qualifiers. “VFF hopes that, with the meaningful support of LPBank, along with careful preparation in many aspects and enthusiastic support from a large number of fans, the Vietnam U23 team will compete confidently, completing the goal of qualifying for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Finals,” General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu emphasized.

LPBank representative, Mr. Bui Thai Ha - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors - expressed: "LPBank's decision to become the main Companion Unit of Group C - 2026 AFC U23 Qualifiers stems from the belief in the potential and will of the young generation of Vietnamese players. We hope to work with VFF to spread the noble sportsmanship spirit, and at the same time, add motivation for the Vietnam U23 team to confidently qualify for the Final Round".

To serve fans, match tickets are sold online exclusively on the OneU app, with three denominations of VND100,000, VND200,000 and VND300,000.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/viet-nam-dang-cai-bang-c-vong-loai-giai-u23-chau-a-2026-20250827081701084.htm