2026 Asian Women's Football Championship: Vietnam Continues Its World Cup Dream

Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team aim to compete for a Quarter-final spot in Group C, which features strong opponents including Japan, India, and Chinese Taipei.

At the pre-match press conference, Coach Mai Duc Chung affirmed that the team has prepared thoroughly and is ready for the challenge. He thanked the Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia for their meticulous organization and the favorable conditions provided for accommodation and training facilities. He emphasized: "We are very satisfied with the preparations and support from the Organizing Committee. At this point, the team is fully ready in all aspects."

Assessing the group stage, the veteran coach stated that not only Group C but all groups in this year's finals are very strong. He clarified: "All participating teams are deserving. Therefore, the Vietnamese women's team must exert maximum effort and focus on each match."

The 2026 Asian Women's Football Championship holds special significance as it is a qualifying round for the 2027 World Cup. Besides the 6 direct slots, Asia also has 2 representatives for the intercontinental play-off round. Thus, up to 50% of the total 12 participating teams have a chance to compete in the planet's biggest women's football festival – a relatively high percentage, opening clear opportunities for many teams, including Vietnam.

According to expert analysis, the Vietnamese women's team's chance of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup is feasible if they achieve the goal of advancing past the group stage. Japan – currently ranked 8th in the world – is identified as the biggest obstacle and also a championship contender this year. Therefore, Vietnam's realistic goal is to secure favorable results against Chinese Taipei and India to compete for second place in the group.

"The target for the Vietnamese women's team is second place in Group C," declared Coach Mai Duc Chung. This is considered a pragmatic choice to ensure self-determination, in the context that relying on a third-place finish and comparing tie-breakers with other groups carries many risks.

Captain Huynh Nhu stated that the whole team is in good spirits and physical condition. She praised the accommodation, training conditions, and favorable weather in Australia – a country that co-hosted the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Sharing about her role, Huynh Nhu emphasized that she always follows the coaching staff's plans at both club and national team levels, while also striving to pass on experience to younger players. The forward affirmed: "Regardless of the level, the ultimate goal is always the collective achievement."

To realize the objective, the coaching staff has developed specific tactical plans for each opponent, combining the match experience of key players with a well-prepared physical foundation. Stability in playstyle and team spirit – values proven through many regional tournaments – continue to be the pillars for the "Diamond Girls".

Against evenly-matched opponents like Chinese Taipei or unpredictable ones like India, the ability to seize opportunities and calculate points in each match will be decisive. If they advance past the group stage, the Vietnamese women's team will not only move closer to a World Cup ticket but also continue to affirm the rising status of Vietnamese women's football on the continental map.