The U23 Asian Cup 2026 opens today in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of a major football festival and a showcase of emerging talent across the continent. For Vietnam’s U23 squad, it is a moment to aim higher.

A new era for Aisan football

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The 2026 U23 Asian Cup kicks off today. Photo: AFC

Under the dazzling lights of Saudi Arabia, the 2026 U23 Asian Cup officially kicks off, bringing together 16 elite teams from across the continent.

Beyond being a youth competition, this tournament has become a benchmark of ambition, development depth, and succession planning in Asian football.

Now in its seventh edition, the U23 Asian Cup has evolved into a key platform for grooming future national team pillars. It’s where long-term investments in football infrastructure and youth systems are tested under competitive conditions.

History has proven its impact. Many players who once shone in this tournament have gone on to become regional icons and even made their way into top European leagues.

The 2026 edition in Saudi Arabia continues this legacy. Powerhouses like Japan, South Korea, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and host nation Saudi Arabia bring both quality and prestige to the tournament.

On its official website, the AFC emphasized that the focus this year goes beyond individual talent.

According to AFC experts, the matches in Saudi Arabia will test tactical intelligence, scientific training approaches, and adaptability-factors increasingly vital as Asian football undergoes transformation.

More broadly, the 2026 edition comes at a time when Asian football is gaining global attention. Youth teams are making deeper runs in global tournaments, domestic leagues are improving their youth structures, and national federations are giving more weight to development pathways.

Vietnam’s U23 ambition

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U23 Vietnam steps into the tournament with ambition. Photo: S.N

Within this larger picture, U23 Vietnam enters the tournament as a team familiar with continental competition but still eager to break new ground.

The squad qualified with a perfect record, not conceding a single goal. Built on the foundation of the team that won the 2022 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and took gold at the 2025 SEA Games, Vietnam arrives with both confidence and experience.

Of course, captain Dinh Bac and his teammates are well aware of the challenges ahead in a group featuring hosts Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and tournament newcomers Kyrgyzstan.

Head coach Kim Sang Sik does not shy away from the reality. He candidly acknowledged the difficulty of the group and set a clear goal: to reach the quarterfinals.

“U23 Vietnam is in a tough group-every opponent has quality. But the whole team has prepared carefully and will focus on each match with the aim of making the quarterfinals,” the Korean coach stated ahead of the opening match.

Notably, Kim Sang Sik is taking a fresh approach-avoiding comparisons with past achievements, such as Vietnam’s historic run to the final in 2018.

Instead, he emphasizes humility, discipline, and gradual progress. This strategy also helps relieve pressure on the players as they enter the competition.

For him, success at the SEA Games was just a stepping stone. The U23 Asian Cup, in contrast, is the true measure of this generation’s competitiveness on the continental stage.

Vietnam’s ambition at this tournament is clear-not loud or flashy, but steady and determined. They take to the field with belief in their ability to stand out.

In a tournament the AFC sees as a symbol of Asia’s footballing future, where many players come from European youth academies, every point and every performance carries long-term value.

As the opening whistle blows, the U23 Asian Cup 2026 begins. For Vietnam’s U23 squad, this is more than just another appearance-it’s a journey to test resilience, nurture ambition, and earn their rightful place on the map of Asian football.

Their campaign starts today with a clash against U23 Jordan at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium at 6:30 PM local time.

Ngoc Huy