On the first day of 2026, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) posted a heartfelt tribute to Vietnamese football, showcasing the most memorable and meaningful images from a golden year in 2025.

Through its official FIFA World Cup platform, FIFA published a visual retrospective titled "Looking back at 2025: To be Vietnamese", accompanied by a series of emotional images honoring Vietnamese football.

Among the featured photos was a powerful image of the Vietnamese national team celebrating their victory in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup Final - a trophy that marked the beginning of a triumphant 2025 under coach Kim Sang Sik.

FIFA also included highlights from Vietnam’s U22 and U23 teams, the national futsal team, and a special moment marking the return of player Xuân Sơn in a key match against Laos during the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

Despite the celebrations, FIFA didn’t shy away from mentioning Vietnam’s women’s team’s loss in the SEA Games 33 Final, where a legitimate goal by Bích Thùy was controversially disallowed by an assistant referee - a moment that sparked debate across the region.

Beyond the senior and U23 successes, seven youth teams from Vietnam secured places in the 2026 AFC finals, signaling the effective investment and strategic direction of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the vital role of academies and clubs nationwide.

As 2026 begins, the U23 team is set to lead Vietnam’s campaign, kicking off at the AFC U23 Championship starting January 6. Under the guidance of coach Kim Sang Sik, the team is determined to write a new chapter of success on the Asian stage.

Dai Nam