U20 Vietnam handed tough draw in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
VOV.VN - U20 Vietnam have been drawn into a challenging group in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup, which also serve as the opening stage of qualification for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) held the draw for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 28.
Vietnam were placed in Pot 2 and will also host one of the qualifying groups on home soil.
This year’s tournament marks the first time the AFC has introduced a two-tier competition format comprising a Qualification Stage and a Development Stage.
Based on results from the 2018, 2023 and 2025 editions, Vietnam were ranked 14th in Asia and placed in Pot 2 alongside Qatar, Indonesia, Syria, Thailand, Yemen, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.
In addition to Vietnam, Bahrain, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan will also host qualifying groups.
The draw placed U20 Vietnam in Group C together with Palestine, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran.
The group is expected to pose a major challenge for coach Yutaka Ikeuchi’s side despite home advantage. The qualification stage will determine eight group winners and the seven best runners-up advancing to the finals of the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup.
Meanwhile, the six lowest-ranked teams will compete in the Development Stage in the next tournament. The qualifiers are scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 6, 2026.
The tournament also serves as the opening phase of Asian qualification for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup, where Asia will have 5.5 slots, including host nation Uzbekistan.
Vietnam to discover opponents in 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s U20 team will discover its opponents in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup when the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) holds the official draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at 2 p.m. on May 28.
