HOT: U17 Vietnam suddenly sees a clearer path to advancing past the World Cup group stage

The sudden turmoil facing U17 Mali might provide U17 Vietnam with a great chance to aim for advancement beyond the group stage of the U17 World Cup 2026.

U17 Mali was once regarded as one of the top contenders for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations title before securing their spot in the U17 World Cup. This team was considered the toughest opponent for U17 Vietnam in the group. However, amidst a string of crises, Mali has now become a favorable opponent for coach Roland and his players to target for points.

Specifically, U17 Mali disappointed greatly by exiting at the quarterfinal stage after losing to U17 Senegal on penalties. Notably, during that match, U17 Mali played with a man advantage for most of the time but still failed to finish off their opponent. Their attack lacked sharpness, and their control of the game was not as dominant as expected for a team rated so highly before the tournament.

In fact, U17 Mali's form showed many signs of instability as early as the group stage. They only narrowly beat U17 Tanzania 2-1, and were held to draws by U17 Angola and U17 Mozambique. These results indicate that the young African team no longer maintains the dominance seen in previous generations.

After the quarterfinal defeat, the Mali Football Federation immediately decided to sack coach Demba Mamadou Traore. This move came as a surprise, as the 2026 U17 World Cup is only a few months away. According to multiple sources, the coach was informed of his dismissal over a single phone call, raising suspicions about internal problems within the team.

This can be seen as an opportunity for U17 Vietnam in the upcoming World Cup group stage. In youth football, even a minor change on the coaching bench can greatly affect the team's mentality and performance. U17 Mali's crisis, both professionally and internally, could significantly weaken their strength.

According to the schedule, U17 Vietnam will face U17 Belgium, U17 New Zealand, and U17 Mali in turn. Against a strong opponent like Belgium, coach Cristiano Roland will likely manage his squad with an eye on the remaining two matches. If they can earn 3 to 4 points from the games against New Zealand and Mali, the chance for U17 Vietnam to advance past the group stage or continue as one of the best third-placed teams is entirely feasible.