Vietnam target 2nd straight Women's World Cup berth at Asian Cup

Coach Mai Duc Chung’s side returned to camp on February 18, in the middle of the nationwide 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, to prepare for the continental tournament, which will determine qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Vietnam, ranked 36th in the world, stepped up preparations after finishing with a silver medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Thailand late last year.

The team played two friendlies against Uzbekistan, ranked 49th, in Hanoi in late January before traveling to Shenzhen for a training camp that included two matches against China, ranked 17th.

They beat Uzbekistan 1-0 in the first meeting before losing 2-6 in the return match, and lost 0-2 and 1-6 in the two games against China as the coaching staff rotated players and tested tactical options.

The squad returned to Vietnam on February 14 and regrouped after a brief holiday break.

“We trained before the Lunar New Year, but a long break would affect fitness, especially for women players,” Mai Duc Chung said.

“That is why I asked the team to regroup early and everyone agreed.

“The upcoming Asian Cup will be very difficult, but with determination and unity we will do everything we can to achieve our target.”

Vietnam have continued to rejuvenate the squad following the SEA Games, with several younger players earning opportunities during the early 2026 camp.

Midfielders Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, 21, and Tran Nhat Lan, 22, are among those pushing for places in the Asian Cup squad.

Forward Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan, 26, was also called up after the China training camp.

Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each of the three groups and the two best third-placed teams advance to the quarterfinals.

The four quarterfinal winners qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, while the four losing teams enter play-offs for two additional direct berths.

The remaining teams will have another chance through intercontinental play-offs.

In Group C, Vietnam will face India on March 4, Taiwan on March 7, and Japan on March 10.

Japan, ranked eighth in the world, are the highest-ranked team in the group.

Veteran forward Huynh Nhu, 35, said the Vietnamese team’s immediate goal is to advance from the group stage.

“This is my third time at the tournament and each time feels different,” she said.

“Our first objective is to get through the group stage, and then we will aim for a World Cup place.”