The Chinese Football Association (CFA) is set to organise the tournament in Shaanxi province in late March 2026, featuring China U23 and three guest teams. The event is intended to provide match experience for U23 players as part of preparations for the 20th Asian Games.

After Vietnam’s U23 sides were invited to similar tournaments in China in 2024 and 2025, there had been speculation that the team would continue to take part. That, however, will not be the case this year.

According to official information from the Chinese Football Association, the four teams competing in late March 2026 will be Iran U23, China U23, North Korea U23 and Thailand U23. Chinese media said the CFA selected the line-up to give China U23 the opportunity to face a broader range of opponents, rather than repeatedly playing familiar teams such as Vietnam, Uzbekistan and South Korea.

Despite not taking part in the tournament in China, Vietnam U23 will still assemble in late March 2026, with the squad built around U21 players as part of preparations for the Asian Games.

PM congratulates Vietnam on AFC U23 Asian Cup success

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has sent a congratulatory letter to the Vietnamese team and coaching staff following their dramatic victory over South Korea in the third-place playoff at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, praising their resilience, fighting spirit and contribution to national pride.