The remaining players will link up with the national team after completing their V-League duties.

Vietnam U23 have also made two last-minute changes to their Asian Games squad. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh called up goalkeeper Nguyen Bao Ngoc and forward Hoang Quang Dung for the 2026 tournament.

Bao Ngoc replaces goalkeeper Pham Dinh Hai, while Quang Dung comes in for Cong Phuong.

The absences have made it more difficult for Vinh and his coaching staff to work on their preferred lineup and playing style ahead of the tournament.

Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu met the players and coaching staff on September 12 to offer encouragement and set objectives ahead of what he described as an important campaign for Vietnamese youth football.

Phu said the 2026 Asian Games is one of four major events for Vietnamese football.

He added that VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan was already in Nagoya, where he is serving as head of the organising committee for the Asian Games men’s football competition. Tuan will also accompany Vietnam U23 throughout their campaign in Japan.

Vietnam U23 were scheduled to leave for Japan on a flight departing at 12:15 a.m. on September 13.

The team have been drawn in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, the Philippines and Kuwait. They will open their campaign against Kuwait on September 15 before facing the Philippines on September 18 and Uzbekistan on September 22.

Dai Nam