2026 AFC U23 Championship: A Chance to Elevate Vietnamese Youth Football

23/12/2025 08:51:00 GameGladiator

After the success at SEA Games 33, Vietnamese youth football is swiftly turning its attention to a bigger ambition: the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. This event is regarded as a tougher test as Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad faces the continent’s football powerhouses.

1. The year 2025 ended as the brightest chapter in the contemporary history of Vietnamese football. In just over a year, Coach Kim Sang Sik turned skepticism into full confidence. The highlight was winning the gold medal at SEA Games 33 in Thailand with the U22 Vietnam team. He not only secured tangible titles but also reshaped the team’s scientific playing style, developing a generation of young players who are brave and tactically modern.

Coach Kim Sang Sik’s decision to remain with Vietnamese football until 2027 is vital for the plan to reach continental stature. The contract extension is not only a reward for him personally but also a declaration of Vietnam football’s ambition to expand in this new phase. Having reached key milestones regionally, the top goals now are bigger tournaments: the 2026 AFC U23 Championship and especially the 2027 Asian Cup finals if qualification is successful.

Stability in management across national team levels allows the young players who excelled at SEA Games to continue their development under a consistent philosophy. Coach Kim Sang Sik now has sufficient time to execute long-term plans, focusing on enhancing fitness and football intelligence to be ready to face Asia’s top teams on equal terms.

Thanh Nhàn and his teammates are expected to keep delivering joy to fans at the upcoming 2026 AFC U23 Championship. Photo: Minh Dân

2. Whenever the continental youth football festival arrives, Vietnamese fans fondly remember the "White Snow of Thường Châu" from years ago. That event remains a benchmark for future generations of Vietnamese players. The 2026 AFC U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia is predicted to be a severe test for Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team. It offers the current squad a chance to prove if they can replicate the 2018 Thường Châu feat and break free from the Southeast Asian shadow.

U23 Vietnam is in Group A with hosts Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan. Being placed in a group that includes the defending champions and physically strong opponents requires meticulous preparation in both skills and mental toughness. These challenges are extreme in terms of physical demands and tactical awareness. To avoid being overwhelmed by the power of West Asian teams, Coach Kim Sang Sik needs a genuine transformation in his players, not only in mentality but also in their ability to handle physical confrontations.

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Although the style of play at SEA Games 33 still has areas to improve, Coach Kim Sang Sik appears to have chosen a cautious strategy for the continental tournament. With only two weeks of preparation, the Korean coach may prioritize maintaining the existing core rather than making significant personnel changes.

Coach Kim’s fundamental philosophy now is to enhance based on existing teamwork and discipline. Tactical drills will focus on improving finishing efficiency and reinforcing the defense. In a high-level competition like the AFC U23 Championship, consistency and the ability to seize the smallest opportunities will be key for U23 Vietnam to create surprises. To surprise in Qatar, the playing style cannot rely solely on individuals like Đình Bắc. Variety in central attacks and the ability to apply intense pressing at key moments will be essential for U23 Vietnam to rise above stronger opponents.

With the momentum from the SEA Games gold medal and a maturing generation of players, fans expect Coach Kim Sang Sik’s team to continue crafting a new fairy tale on the continental stage, affirming the true transformation of Vietnamese football.

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