As the tournament serves as an important opportunity to review the squad ahead of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers, players who have shown strong potential and development have been prioritised for inclusion in the squad.

Most of the selected players come from Vietnam’s top youth academies and clubs with strong youth development records, including PVF, Viettel FC, Hanoi FC, Song Lam Nghe An, and Ba Ria Vung Tau.

Among notable names are goalkeeper Ly Xuan Hoa, who was named Best Goalkeeper at the 2024 U15 National Championship; striker Nguyen Van Duong, who won both Best Player and Top Scorer of the same tournament; and midfielder Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc, a key figure in Vietnam’s U17 squad at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup finals.

The players are scheduled to begin training at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre on May 10. They are set to depart for Hohhot, Inner Mongolia (China) on May 23, for the tournament due to take place from May 28 to June 1.

The tournament, that features strong U16 national teams from Australia, Saudi Arabia, and hosts China, is seen as a valuable opportunity for Vietnam’s young players to gain international match experience, hone in their tactical and technical skills, and prepare more effectively for future continental competitions, first and foremost the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Vietnam to play friendlies in China ahead of 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers

VOV.VN - The Vietnam U16 national team will take part in an U16 international football tournament to be held in Hohhot, China, from May 26 to June 1, to prepare for the coming AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers.