OFFICIAL: AFC issues ruling, Vietnam receives news that couldn't be more joyful

AFC decides to bring back the Asian Club Futsal Championship, and Vietnam is one of the eight futsal nations granted a slot to participate in the tournament.

On the morning of March 24th, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the draw ceremony and schedule arrangement for the 2026 HDBank National Futsal Championship were conducted online, with representatives from VFF, the organizing committee, and the clubs attending.

A notable highlight of this season is its close linkage with the international competition system, as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to revive the club-level futsal tournament. Accordingly, the champion of the 2026 National Futsal Championship will represent Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Club Futsal Championship, while the runner-up will participate in the 2027 ASEAN Club Futsal Championship (AFF).

However, teams must fully meet the criteria set by AFC and AFF; if conditions are not satisfied, VFF will consider selecting the next eligible team. In cases where AFC or AFF requires confirmation of participation slots before the conclusion of the 2026 season, selection will be based on the final standings of the 2025 season.

After a seven-year hiatus, the Asian Club Futsal Cup is slated to return in 2027 with a streamlined format comprising only eight teams, significantly fewer than the most recent edition in 2019. Participation slots will be awarded to countries whose national teams reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 Asian Futsal Championship, including Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Iraq, Thailand, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

With Vietnam's slot for the continental competition, it is highly likely that the 2026 national champion will be chosen by VFF. In the domestic arena, the top two contenders for the title remain Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City – the reigning champion, and Thai Son Bac – the previous season's runner-up.

The revival of the Asian club-level tournament brings positive signals for Vietnamese futsal, as this is a platform where domestic representatives have consistently invested and achieved notable results. Notably, Thai Son Nam Ho Chi Minh City secured runner-up position in 2018 and three third-place finishes in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Additionally, Khanh Hoa Club also reached the quarter-finals in 2016.

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