Vietnam U17 Women Drawn in Group with China and Thailand at Asian Championship

Vietnam's U17 women's team faces a demanding group with host nation China and Thailand at the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup, signaling a fierce battle for World Cup qualification.

The draw held at the AFC headquarters (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on the afternoon of February 12 placed Vietnam's U17 women's team into a group considered highly competitive for the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup. Vietnam U17 women will compete against host China, Thailand, and Myanmar in Group A.

This year's tournament marks a significant change with the number of participating teams increased from 8 to 12, promising more intense competition. The final tournament will take place from May 1 to 17, 2026, in China, which is also seeded and highly rated due to home advantage.

Being grouped with China and Thailand means the journey for Vietnam's U17 women is expected to be challenging.. China has a well-established youth development system and is consistently a top force in Asian women's football. Meanwhile, Thailand has shown significant progress at youth levels in recent years. Myanmar, although considered weaker, still holds potential surprises with their fast-paced and physically strong style of play.

In the other two groups, the competition is also noteworthy. Group B features four-time champions Japan alongside Australia, India, and newcomers Lebanon. Group C will see a contest among reigning champions North Korea, South Korea, the Philippines, and Chinese Taipei.

According to the regulations, the top two teams from each group plus the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Notably, the four best teams will represent Asia at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026, a major goal for all teams involved.

For Vietnam's U17 women, qualifying for the final tournament is already a commendable achievement. However, the real test of resilience and ability comes from facing strong opponents right from the group stage. If they maintain disciplined play, capitalize on opportunities, and stay focused, the head coach and his team could create surprises in this year's competition.