FIFA chief Infantino tours 60,000-seat stadium project as he wraps up Vietnam visit

After attending the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final between Vietnam and Thailand at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on Wednesday evening, Infantino visited the PVF Football Training Center under the Ministry of Public Security and inspected the construction site of the PVF Stadium in Nghia Tru Commune on Thursday morning.

An ambitious but well-grounded goal

At the PVF stadium construction site, Infantino was briefed on the project's scale, progress and key design features.

The stadium, invested by the Ministry of Public Security, began construction in December 2025 and is expected to be completed in March 2027.

It will have a capacity of some 60,000 spectators.

After touring the stadium project, Infantino visited the PVF youth football training center and inspected its youth development infrastructure.

The FIFA delegation also met with coaches and players of Cong An Ha Noi FC, as well as coaches, staff and young trainees working and training at the center.

Infantino said he was deeply impressed by the warm welcome extended by Vietnam.

Reflecting on his experiences during the visit, he said he felt that Vietnam had become like a 'home' to him.

The FIFA president praised Vietnam as a country with an intense love and passion for football.

"We are here for the passion of the people," he stressed in a video posted on his official Instagram.

"This is what FIFA is about–developing the game, bringing the best of football to every corner of the world."

In addition, he also congratulated Cong An Ha Noi FC on securing a place in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Mentioning Vietnam's football development ambitions, Infantino said the goal of putting Vietnam higher on the global football map was both a major ambition and one with a solid foundation.

He also revealed that FIFA would implement a number of practical projects in Vietnam in the coming period, including the FIFA Arenas program, which aims to expand the country's network of football pitches.

FIFA is exploring the possibility of working with PVF to establish a FIFA-standard training center, with the participation of leading international experts.

Excited by Vietnam’s victory

The inspection of the football facilities capped off a memorable trip that began with the thrilling ASEAN Cup final on Wednesday night. 

Following Vietnam's victory over Thailand to retain their regional crown, Infantino expressed his excitement in a post on his personal Instagram account, which quickly garnered tens of thousands of likes.

“It was a pleasure to be in beautiful Hanoi for the final game of the ASEAN Championship 2026 and experience an atmosphere of pure passion inside a packed stadium,” he wrote.

“Millions of people across Vietnam are celebrating tonight after their team defended their crown, winning 4-2 on aggregate.”

“Many congratulations to Vietnam on winning this edition of the ASEAN Championship in Hanoi,” he said in his video.

“One hundred million people are celebrating this victory in Vietnam, one of the powerhouses of Southeast Asian football.

“We are here for this fantastic crowd here, who is celebrating their heroes.

“This final was epic, very emotional.”

He also extended his congratulations to Vietnam, the president of the Vietnam Football Federation, and the ASEAN Football Federation.

“Congratulations to this beautiful, fantastic country, Vietnam, on winning this well-deserved trophy.”

This was Infantino's second visit to Vietnam.

Nearly a decade after his first trip in February 2018, the latest visit gave the FIFA president an opportunity to see firsthand the country's progress in football infrastructure and youth development.

Infantino and Grafstrom headed to the airport and boarded a private jet home at noon on Thursday, bringing the FIFA president's working visit to Vietnam to an end.

They arrived at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi on a private jet on Wednesday afternoon.