BREAKING: Coach Kim Sang Sik adds 2 players to Vietnam U23 squad

The list of players called up for Vietnam U23 ahead of the 2026 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers has been officially released.

On December 22, Coach Kim Sang Sik revealed the Vietnam U23 team roster gathering to prepare for the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals. It is no surprise that the core of the team consists of 23 players who recently won the men's football gold medal at SEA Games 33.

In addition to the squad that demonstrated skill and resilience throughout their SEA Games 33 gold medal journey, this call-up includes two familiar faces: defender Lê Văn Hà (Hà Nội) and striker Bùi Vĩ Hào (Becamex TP.HCM).

These players have regularly participated in recent U23 Vietnam team camps and are highly regarded for their ability to adapt to head coach Kim Sang Sik's coaching philosophy.

According to the schedule, the Vietnam U23 team will regroup on December 23 to start preparations for the continental competition. On December 26, the entire team will depart for Qatar for training to boost fitness, refine tactics, and finalize the squad. During their training period there, Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad is expected to play an important friendly match against the Syria U23 team, which will help the coaching staff evaluate the players and adjust strategies ahead of the official tournament.

After training, the Vietnam U23 team will travel to Saudi Arabia on January 1, 2026, to compete in the AFC U23 Championship finals. In this tournament, Vietnam U23 faces a challenging group, starting with a match against Jordan U23 on January 6, then facing Kyrgyzstan U23 on January 9, and concluding the group stage against host Saudi Arabia U23 on January 12.

With thorough preparation, an experienced international roster, and high morale following their SEA Games 33 success, the Vietnam U23 team is expected to continue showcasing a positive image, strong spirit, and ambition at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship.