Sharing the top seed pot with host Japan, South Korea and China, Vietnam will avoid facing any of those three teams during the group stage.

Being seeded in Pot 1 improves Vietnam's chances of landing in a more favorable group.

However, the remaining seeding pots still feature several of Asia's strongest teams.

Pot 2 includes Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.

Pot 3 consists of Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and the Philippines.

Pot 4 includes Kuwait, Hong Kong (China), and North Korea.

As a result, Vietnam could still be drawn alongside formidable opponents such as Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia, together with Iran or Qatar.

Although top-seed status provides a clear advantage, head coach Kim Sang Sik is still expected to face a demanding challenge in one of Asia's premier multi-sport competitions.

Squad built for the future

Vietnam is expected to base its squad primarily on the country's current under-21 generation, aligning with the federation's long-term development strategy.

The tournament will serve as preparation for several major competitions, including the 2027 SEA Games, the 2028 AFC U23 Asian Cup, and qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Kim Sang Sik are also expected to include several experienced under-23 players to provide leadership and balance within the squad.

The men's football tournament at ASIAD 2026 will be held from September 15 to October 3 in the Japanese cities of Osaka, Toyota, Nagoya, and Kariya.

Thien Binh