Men's football at the 2026 Asian Games: Vietnam Olympic team placed in Group C with Uzbekistan, Philippines, and Kuwait

Vietnam's Olympic squad has been drawn into Group C of the men's football tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, facing Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait.

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan – President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), AFC Executive Committee member, and Chairman of the AFC Competitions Committee – has been entrusted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to continue serving as the Head of the Men's Football Operations Committee for the 2026 Asian Games.

During the draw, the Vietnam Olympic team was placed in the top seed group alongside hosts Japan, China, and South Korea, thanks to their quarterfinal finish at the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup. This allowed them to avoid these three opponents in the group stage. The second seed group consisted of Uzbekistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand; the third seed group included Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and the Philippines; while the fourth seed group comprised Kuwait, Hong Kong (China), and North Korea.

The men's football event at the 2026 Asian Games features 15 teams divided into four groups: three groups of four teams and one group of three. Teams will play a single round-robin, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.

Vietnam's best performance in men's football at the Asian Games was reaching the semifinals at the 2018 Asian Games under coach Park Hang Seo. They were eliminated by South Korea with a 1-3 loss, finishing in fourth place.

The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The men's football tournament is for players born on or after January 1, 2003, with each team allowed to register up to three overage players.

To prepare for the 2026 Asian Games, the Vietnam Olympic team will reconvene on July 29 with a squad combining U23 and U21 players. This is an important step to build depth, enhance competitiveness, and provide young players with international experience for long-term goals.

The 20th Asian Games in 2026 will take place in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The men's football event is for U23 players born on or after January 1, 2003, with three overage players allowed. Meanwhile, the women's football event features national teams.

Draw results

Men's football

Group A: Japan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong (China)

Group B: China, UAE, Iran, North Korea

Group C: Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Kuwait

Group D: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Women's football

Group E: Japan, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Thailand

Group F: South Korea, North Korea, Bangladesh, Myanmar

Group G: China, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong