Hot football news afternoon 28/5: Vietnam U20 faces a 'nightmare'

At the Asian championship, Vietnam's U20 team hits a "nightmare", Arsenal wrestles with a European "curse", Tuchel gets heavily criticized, and FIFA is caught in a 2026 World Cup ticket controversy.

Vietnam U20 lands in a "group of death" for the 2027 Asian U20 Qualifiers

The luck of the draw has placed Vietnam U20 up against a series of formidable opponents including Iran U20, North Korea U20, and Palestine U20 in Group C. Although playing at home, Yukata Ikeuchi's squad will face one of the toughest challenges in the qualifiers.

Notably, this is the first Asian U20 championship where the AFC applies a completely new two-tier format to increase competitiveness. Only 8 group winners and 7 best runners-up will earn spots in the finals, making the race more intense than ever.

With a young squad developing from the Vietnam U19 generation, fans hope the home team can spring a surprise against Asia's giants.

Indonesia U19 unexpectedly "drops" the regional tournament, Vietnam U19 opens the door for a shock?

Just ahead of the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship, Indonesia U19 head coach Nova Arianto surprised regional media by declaring that the host team does not aim to win the title despite being the defending champions. The Indonesian tactician stated that the AFF U19 is merely a warm-up for the 2027 Asian U20 qualifiers and he will rotate the entire squad to test lineups. This means Indonesia U19 will likely not field their strongest team throughout the tournament.

In a context where the biggest rival in Group A reduces performance pressure, Vietnam U19 now has a massive opportunity to compete for the top spot and secure a semifinal berth right on Indonesian soil.

Ho Chi Minh City defends the crown in a thrilling scenario, Hanoi I suffers heartbreak on penalties!

The 2026 Women's National Cup final was tense, with Hanoi I and Ho Chi Minh City unable to break the deadlock throughout 90 minutes. The capital's team played confidently and dominated but lacked sharpness in finishing without Pham Hai Yen.

On the other hand, Ho Chi Minh City showed the composure of champions with a tight defense and the vast experience of Huynh Nhu and her teammates. After a 0-0 draw, the southern side coolly defeated their opponents 3-0 on penalties to claim an emotional title.

Coach Tuchel faces heavy backlash after a shocking decision regarding the England squad!

Adam Wharton has become a focus in England after an explosive performance that helped Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano to win the Conference League. The 22-year-old midfielder played like a "boss" in midfield, orchestrating perfectly and contributing greatly to the club's first European trophy. However, what infuriates fans is that Wharton was left off England's 2026 World Cup squad, while 36-year-old Jordan Henderson was called up by Thomas Tuchel.

Legend Glenn Hoddle publicly criticized the German coach,arguing that England is missing out on "a rare modern midfielder." After that historic night in Leipzig, the pressure on Tuchel has intensified more than ever.

Arsenal faces a 32-year "curse" in Europe ahead of the Champions League final!

After a historic Premier League title under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is now just one match away from a great double. However, before the big clash against PSG in Budapest, the "Gunners" still carry a haunting obsession spanning over three decades: They have lost every European cup final since 1994.

From Nayim's iconic lob (1995), the painful defeat to Galatasaray (2000), Barcelona in 2006, to the thrashing by Chelsea in 2019, Arsenal has repeatedly fallen at decisive moments.

Now, against the reigning champions PSG, Arteta's men have a chance to rewrite history and end the most painful "curse" of the "Gunners."

FIFA faces a massive scandal ahead of the 2026 World Cup!

It's not about competition, but ticket prices and the sales method for the 2026 World Cup that are causing FIFA to face a wave of fierce criticism in the US. According to US media, officials from New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation to clarify numerous suspicions regarding "unbelievable ticket prices," artificial scarcity, and a lack of transparency in the sales process.

Notably, the 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium, where many fans report they can hardly buy tickets at reasonable prices. Some tickets are even rumored to exceed $1,000.

The phrase "a maze of confusion and irrational ticket prices" is becoming a "heavy blow" to FIFA's image, right before the largest World Cup in history.