FIFA decision boosts Vietnam’s World Cup hopes
VOV.VN - FIFA has confirmed a revised qualification format for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup, a move that increases Asia’s representation and opens up additional opportunities for Vietnam to return to the global youth stage.
The tournament will feature 24 teams, with co-hosts Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan qualifying automatically. The remaining 22 places will be allocated through continental competitions.
Asia will receive four direct berths, awarded to the four semi-finalists of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027, along with one additional place via an intercontinental play-off.
Meanwhile, the four teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will contest a play-off to determine one representative for the intercontinental play-off, where they will face teams from South America, Oceania and Europe for a final World Cup berth.
Under the new format, the four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals of the AFC tournament will compete in a play-off to determine Asia’s representative in an intercontinental play-off, alongside teams from South America, Oceania and Europe, for a final World Cup berth.
The decision gives Vietnam a renewed chance to qualify for the U20 World Cup for the first time since its debut appearance at the 2017 tournament in the Republic of Korea.
In preparation for the qualification campaign, Vietnam’s U20 team, comprising players born in 2007 and 2008, are set to compete in several tournaments in 2026, including the Southeast Asian U19 Championship and the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled for July and August 2026.
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