What does AFC say about Vietnam's U17 women's team at the Asian Championship?

Before the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Asian Championship Finals, AFC has released notable evaluations regarding Vietnam's U17 women's team.

According to AFC, Vietnam's U17 women's team does not have a strong track record in this tournament. The team has only participated in the Finals once, in 2019, and was eliminated in the group stage—which remains their best performance to date. In the most recent qualifiers in 2024, they failed to advance, highlighting the challenges in developing youth football at this level.

Nevertheless, AFC acknowledges the return of Vietnam's U17 women's team in this year's tournament. Securing qualification by topping Group D in the qualifiers clearly demonstrates the team's professional progress and serious preparation. This is seen as a positive sign, opening hopes for a new phase in Vietnam's youth women's football.

Although Vietnam is a force in Asian football, the U17 level remains a significant challenge for them. This Southeast Asian team is determined to shine, especially after leading Group D in the qualifiers,AFC stated.

In the group stage, Vietnam's U17 women's team will face formidable opponents: Thailand (May 1), China (May 4), and Myanmar (May 7). According to AFC's analysis, this is a tough group, as all teams have well-established youth development systems and extensive international experience.

Even though Vietnamese football has made strong strides at the national team level, especially in women's football, at the U17 level, the gap with Asian powerhouses remains considerable. AFC believes that instability and lack of experience are areas Vietnam's young players need to improve if they aim to advance further.

However, with determination and an improved foundation, Vietnam's U17 team is still expected to potentially create surprises. Advancing beyond the group stage would not only be a significant milestone but also a stepping stone for Vietnam's youth women's football to move closer to future major goals.