Which tier will the Vietnam national team compete in during the AFC Nations League?

Given their 20th place in Asia, Vietnam’s national team is expected to play in the mid-level divisions of the AFC Nations League.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially announced plans to launch the AFC Nations League, a men's national team competition modeled after Europe’s Nations League. This is seen as a strategic move to comprehensively reform the continent’s international match system, replacing traditional friendlies which have shown limited appeal and quality.

According to the AFC, utilizing current FIFA Days faces many challenges. Teams often struggle to find suitable opponents, travel costs are high, and the improvement in team quality is limited. The AFC Nations League will create a structured competition where all 47 members regularly face opponents of similar level, fostering stronger competitive motivation.

Currently, the AFC is considering two ranking-based tiering options using FIFA rankings. The first option divides teams into four leagues (A, B, C with 12 teams each, and D with 11 teams). The second option, regarded by media as more feasible, splits into three leagues: Leagues A and B with 16 teams each, and League C with the remaining 15. This division will directly impact the starting positions of Southeast Asian teams, including Vietnam.

For the Vietnam national team, holding the current rank (110th globally and 20th in Asia), the position of Coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad is in a fascinating "borderline" zone. If the AFC adopts the first option (four leagues), Vietnam, ranked 20th in Asia, would be among the top seeds in League B.

However, if the three-league format with larger team counts per league is used, Vietnam could compete for a spot at the lower end of League A or hold steady in League B. Conversely, if FIFA rankings drop negatively, starting in League C is also a possibility to consider.

Regardless of the league, the AFC Nations League offers a golden opportunity for Vietnam to regularly compete against quality opponents. Clearly defined opponents and league placement will allow the coaching staff to prepare thoroughly, instead of struggling to find friendly matches during short training camps as before.