Vietnam’s women’s national team and U23 side will represent Vietnamese football at ASIAD 2026, which kicks off in mid-September in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. Ahead of the continental sporting event, both teams have received encouragement through the “Fueling Vietnamese Football” program organized by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Herbalife Vietnam, aimed at giving the players added motivation before the tournament.

At ASIAD 2026, Vietnam U23s have been drawn in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, the Philippines and Kuwait. The team, temporarily entrusted by head coach Kim Sang Sik to coach Dinh Hong Vinh, has been set the target of progressing beyond the group stage despite facing a potentially tricky group.

Vietnam’s women’s team, meanwhile, are in Group A with Japan, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. Hosts Japan are widely considered a level above the rest, making the matches against Chinese Taipei and Thailand crucial to Vietnam’s hopes of advancing. The challenge for the side led by coach Hoang Van Phuc is that it is undergoing a process of rejuvenation and squad renewal. Against that backdrop, unity and determination are expected to be the team’s key weapons as they pursue the best possible result.

According to the VFF and its partner, “Fueling Vietnamese Football” was launched with the aim of providing additional motivation and helping players prepare as effectively as possible before taking part in major Asian competitions in 2026.

Currently, 144 players across Vietnam’s national football teams are receiving sponsored products. A number of training courses in sports nutrition and physical conditioning are also being organized by the nutrition-focused sponsor to help players maximize their potential.

At ASIAD 2026, the men’s football competition will run from September 15 to October 3, while the women’s tournament will take place from September 14 to October 2.

Lam Hoang