Vietnam in the same group with Malaysia in the 2026 AFC U17 Qualifiers

On the afternoon of August 7, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held a draw ceremony for the 2026 AFC U17 Championship Qualifiers. According to the results, the Vietnam U17 team was placed in Group C with regional opponents including U17 Malaysia, U17 Singapore, U17 Hong Kong (China), U17 Northern Mariana Islands and U17 Macau (China).

Coach Cristiano Roland and his team are looking forward to the 2026 AFC U17 Qualifiers taking place this November. (Photo: VFF)

This year's qualifiers will feature a new format, with a total of 38 teams divided into seven groups (three groups of six teams, four groups of five teams). After the group stage, the top seven teams from each group will advance to the finals.

In addition, nine teams have been given a direct entry, including host Qatar - the host country of the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup - and eight teams participating in the quarter-finals of the 2025 AFC U17 Championship: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, North Korea, Tajikistan, Japan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia.

The qualifying round is scheduled to take place from November 22 to 30, 2025, while the final round is scheduled to be held in May 2026 in Saudi Arabia. The top eight teams in the final round will represent Asia at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Draw results for the 2026 AFC U17 Championship Qualifiers. (Photo: AFC)

To prepare for this important campaign, the Vietnam U17 team is expected to gather at the end of October, with the core force selected from players with excellent performances at the 2025 National U17 Championship.

Before entering the qualifying round, the team will have a training trip in Japan to perfect tactics and improve physical strength.

Previously, at the international friendly tournament held in China in June 2025, young Vietnamese players showed promising form when they won 2-1 against U17 Saudi Arabia, drew U17 China 2-2 and only lost narrowly to U17 Australia with a score of 1-2.

Notably, the Vietnam Football Federation has also been granted the right by the Asian Football Confederation to host the U17 Vietnam group in the qualifying round. Playing at home is a great advantage that helps coach Cristiano Roland and his team gain more confidence, increase their ability to control tactics and fighting spirit.

With careful preparation, a young and ambitious force and support from the home audience, the Vietnam U17 team is aiming to reach the final round and further compete for a place at the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup - a prestigious tournament for the world's best young talents.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/viet-nam-cung-bang-voi-malaysia-tai-vong-loai-u17-chau-a-2026-20250808093727773.htm