Vietnam futsal team gathers for a quality friendly tournament in Thailand

The Vietnam futsal team has officially gathered, starting the preparation phase for the Continental Futsal Championship 2026, an international friendly event hosted by the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), running from August 1 to 6 at the Nonthaburi Gymnasium (Thailand).

According to the plan of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), head coach Diego Giustozzi has called up a squad combining experienced players with several promising young talents, aiming to enhance professional quality while preparing for the team's upcoming international duties.

The Continental Futsal Championship is an annual tournament organized by the FAT to provide the Thai futsal team with exposure to strong opponents from around the world. In 2026, the tournament features high-level teams from various continents, including hosts Thailand, Russia, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and New Zealand. According to the organizers' initial plan, the event could have included six teams, but the official list currently consists of five teams.

This is considered a great opportunity for Vietnamese futsal to test itself against opponents of different calibers. Notably, Thailand is among Asia's top teams, Afghanistan is one of the fastest-improving sides in the region, New Zealand is the leading representative of Oceania, while Russia still possesses a world-class futsal foundation despite being affected by restrictions in official tournaments.

For coach Diego Giustozzi, the tournament in Nonthaburi is not only a chance for the coaching staff to assess the players' form after training but also an occasion to refine playing style, test personnel, and enhance adaptability against various playing styles.

The last time Vietnam futsal participated in the Continental Futsal Championship was in 2022. After a four-year absence, the team is expected to make the most of these quality matches to accumulate international experience, laying a foundation for important goals in the near future.

According to the schedule, the Vietnam futsal team will face Russia (6:00 PM on August 1), New Zealand (6:00 PM on August 2), Afghanistan (8:30 PM on August 3), and hosts Thailand (8:30 PM on August 5).