U23 Vietnam is about to finalize the squad for ASIAD 2026

16 names have been confirmed to be called up to U23 Vietnam for preparation for ASIAD 2026.

The U23 Vietnam team is completing its squad to prepare for the men's football event at the ASIAD 20, taking place in Japan in September. According to the orientation of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the team will prioritize using U21 players, combined with some experienced U23 faces to create a competitive framework, while helping the next generation accumulate international experience.

According to the tournament regulations, each team can register 22 players, most of whom must be born on or after January 1, 2003, and can only add a maximum of three overage players. However, the VFF does not intend to rely on older players but wants to build a young squad, taking the U21 generation as the core before adding suitable U23 players to increase depth.

The official list is expected to be announced on July 27, but information from clubs shows that many promising players have received call-ups. PVF-CAND contributes 7 players including Nguyễn Quốc Toản, Lê Thắng Long, Nguyễn Bảo Long, Nguyễn Hoàng Anh, Nguyễn Xuân Bắc, Võ Anh Quân and Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn, continuing to affirm its role as a leading youth training center.

Thể Công Viettel also has 6 players: Nguyễn Công Phương, Đặng Tuấn Phong, Nguyễn Mạnh Hưng, Vũ Quốc Anh, Nguyễn Hoàng Khanh and Trần Đức Duy. In addition, coach Thạch Bảo Khanh has been invited to join the U23 Vietnam coaching staff. The presence of many promising young players promises to create positive competition in each position.

Sông Lam Nghệ An has 3 representatives: goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình, central defender Lê Nguyên Hoàng and midfielder Nguyễn Quang Vinh. Among them, Cao Văn Bình is notable after helping U23 Vietnam win the third place at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. Along with Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn and Nguyễn Xuân Bắc, this group of players is expected to become the pillars of U23 Vietnam.

According to the draw results, U23 Vietnam is in Group C with Uzbekistan, Philippines and Kuwait. Uzbekistan is considered the strongest opponent, but the other two teams are still within competitive reach. ASIAD 20 takes place from September 19 to October 4, both an opportunity to aim for the knockout rounds and a long-term preparation for Vietnam football's tasks in the 2027-2028 period.