The AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, hosted in Saudi Arabia, has concluded its gripping group stage, marking a significant milestone for Vietnamese football. Vietnam’s U23 national team has secured a coveted spot in the quarterfinals, emerging as the sole representative from the Southeast Asian region. Their impressive campaign culminates in a highly anticipated clash against the United Arab Emirates.
The Vietnamese U23 squad, led by South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik, delivered a remarkable performance in Group A. They finished with a flawless record, clinching nine full points from three consecutive victories. This included a dominant 2-0 win over Jordan, a hard-fought 2-1 triumph against Kyrgyzstan, and a decisive 1-0 victory against tournament hosts Saudi Arabia. This exceptional run not only propelled Vietnam into the last eight but also established their best-ever record in the competition.
Their success stands in stark contrast to other Southeast Asian contenders, notably Thailand, who exited the tournament early after finishing at the bottom of Group D. Vietnam’s outstanding achievement highlights their growing prowess on the continental stage.
Remarkably, Vietnam was one of only two teams, alongside defending champions Japan, to maintain a perfect winning streak across all three group stage matches. Japan similarly dominated Group B, securing victories against the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Qatar to top their group.
The quarterfinal stage is set to kick off on January 26, featuring an exciting lineup of matches. The teams advancing from their respective groups include:
* **From Group A:** Vietnam and Jordan
* **From Group B:** Japan and the United Arab Emirates
* **From Group C:** Uzbekistan and South Korea
* **From Group D:** Australia and China
The highly anticipated quarterfinal fixtures are as follows:
* Vietnam vs. United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan vs. China
* Japan vs. Jordan
* Australia vs. South Korea
