Vietnam U23 announce ASIAD 2026 squad: A stage for new faces

Vietnam U23 have announced their 23-man squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The squad announcement comes at a time when Vietnamese football is enjoying an extraordinary period: the senior national team have just won the ASEAN Championship, while the U23 side claimed a bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. Because of that success, expectations are high, even though this squad is missing several important players. The official roster includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, nine midfielders and four forwards. The clear emphasis on midfield suggests a desire to control the centre of the pitch, although the small number of forwards also reflects a squad depleted by injuries and by the decision to hold some players back for the senior national team. Players were drawn from many clubs across Vietnam — Hanoi, SLNA, Cong An TP HCM, CAND, Hai Phong, Quy Nhon United, Hue, Ninh Binh and The Cong — showing that Vietnamese youth football is being developed across a wide network rather than depending on a single academy. Several notable players are absent. Nguyen Dinh Bac, Tran Trung Kien and Nhat Minh were not included because they are part of the senior national team plan. This is a clear signal that the federation and coaches consider upcoming senior international competitions more important than an Asian Games campaign. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Thai Son, Bui Vi Hao and Khuan Van Khang are missing because of ligament injuries. Those four players were important members of the squad that won the U23 Asian bronze, so their absence hurts. At this stage, tactical analysis is limited. No information has been released about formations or style of play. However, selecting nine central midfielders may indicate a focus on controlling the middle of the pitch and using flexible rotations to compensate for a lack of proven strikers. In past tournaments, Vietnam U23 have done well with compact defending and quick counter-attacks, but at the Asian Games they will face physically strong opponents from across the continent. Public expectation is another challenge. After the senior team's ASEAN Cup victory and the U23 bronze medal, fans expect success in every tournament. This creates pressure on head coach Dinh Hong Vinh. If the team is eliminated early, criticism may follow, despite the missing players. Yet the tournament also offers a chance for new talents to emerge. Players like Nguyen Quoc Viet and Nguyen Thanh Nhan will be hoping to impress and push for places in the senior squad. The decision to hold back players for the senior team does not appear to violate FIFA or AFC rules, because the Asian Games usually falls outside official international match windows. Still, the release of players from clubs could become complicated. Clear agreements between the federation and clubs will be important. This Asian Games should be viewed as a testing ground for the next generation. Instead of relying on the same players who won bronze last time, the coaching staff will need to build a new core. For Vietnamese fans, the Asian Games has special meaning because of the memorable run in 2026. That history shows that success can come from spirit and unity as much as from experience. In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the training sessions and warm-up matches. The coach must find a reliable defensive structure, creative midfield combinations and a sharp attacking edge with only four forwards. He has little time, but Vietnamese football has overcome difficult challenges before. The most encouraging aspect of this squad may be its diverse club representation. Players coming from Hue, Ninh Binh and Quy Nhon United show that talent development is spreading. If these players perform well, they will create a brighter future for the national team. At the end of the tournament, what will last is not just the scoreboard, but the memory of young players daring to take the stage when their seniors were absent. That is the real value of football: not victory alone, but the journey of growth. U23 Vietnam may enter the Asian Games with a new look, but they carry the same desire and pride.