The 'unusual' bracket of AFC puts the Vietnam women's team in a difficult position

The AFC's knockout bracket setup at the 2026 Asian Cup causes a contradiction that puts Vietnam's women's team at a disadvantage in their quest for a 2027 World Cup spot.

The final round of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup will take place from March 1 to 16 in Australia It is not only the continent's premier competition but also serves as the qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. However, the AFC's knockout bracket system is creating a paradox that puts the Vietnam women's team in a tough position, forcing them to strategize from the group stage.

The tournament features 12 teams divided into 3 groups, with 8 teams advancing to the quarterfinals. Asia has 6 direct slots for the 2027 World Cup plus 2 intercontinental playoff spots. The four semifinalists will qualify directly, while the four quarterfinal losers will compete crosswise for the remaining 2 direct slots.

Vietnam's women's team is drawn in Group C alongside Japan, India, and Chinese Taipei. With superior strength, Japan is almost certain to top the group. Thus, Vietnam must compete for second place or one of the two best third-place playoff spots.

The problem lies in AFC's bracket arrangement. If Vietnam finishes second in Group C, Coach Mai Duc Chung's team will likely face the winner of Group B in the quarterfinals, possibly China or North Korea—top teams in Asia. If they lose, Vietnam will enter a bracket filled with strong teams like Australia, South Korea, China, or North Korea in the direct qualification playoff, significantly reducing their chances.

On the other hand, if they reach the quarterfinals via a best third-place slot, the bracket is somewhat easier. Then, Vietnam could face the winner of Group A (Australia or South Korea). If defeated, their next opponent in the direct qualification playoff is likely the loser of the match involving Japan against mid-level teams like Iran, the Philippines, Bangladesh, or Uzbekistan—teams considered on par with or weaker than Vietnam.

In this context, the journey for Vietnam's women's team to qualify for the 2027 World Cup becomes more complicated due to the bracket factor. Coach Mai Duc Chung's squad must not only prepare technically but also carefully plan group stage scenarios to maximize their chances. The goal of qualifying for the World Cup for the second consecutive time remains open, but the path ahead is clearly challenging.