Culture - Sports

Vietnam futsal team gears up for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026

The Vietnam futsal team will begin training on January 2, 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the guidance of Argentine coach Diego Giustozzi, the team will enter a crucial intensive preparation phase with a high training workload, aiming to reach peak form ahead of Asia’s premier futsal tournament.

Vietnam national futsal team (Photo: VFF)
Vietnam national futsal team (Photo: VFF)

Hanoi (VNA) - Head coach Diego Giustozzi has announced the training squad of the Vietnam national futsal team as part of preparations for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, featuring the notable return of several experienced players after time away due to injuries, said the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on December 29.

The highlight is the comeback of Tran Thai Huy, Chau Doan Phat, and Ngo Ngoc Son. All three missed the 33rd SEA Games as they had not fully recovered their fitness and form, but are now ready to return. Notably, Chau Doan Phat was recently honoured with the Futsal Golden Ball 2025, while Tu Minh Quang and Nguyen Da Hai, winners of the FutsalSilver and Bronze Balls 2025, also remain part of this training camp.

According to the plan, the Vietnam futsal team will begin training on January 2, 2026, at the Chanh Hung ward futsal arena in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the guidance of the Argentine coach, the team will enter a crucial intensive preparation phase with a high training workload, aiming to reach peak form ahead of Asia’s premier futsal tournament.

As part of the preparation programme arranged by the VFF, Vietnam will play two international friendly matches against the Afghanistan futsal team, scheduled for January 19 and 21, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City. These matches are considered important tests for the coaching staff to review personnel, refine playing style, and experiment with tactical options, before the team departs for Indonesia on January 27, 2026, to compete in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026.

At the tournament, Vietnam have been drawn into Group B, alongside strong opponents including reigning Asian runners-up Thailand, as well as Kuwait and Lebanon. The group is expected to be highly competitive, requiring thorough preparation both technically and mentally from coach Diego Giustozzi and his players.

Building on lessons learned from the 33rd SEA Games, together with the VFF’s structured and long-term preparation strategy, the Vietnam futsal team embarks on a new campaign determined to achieve success at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, thereby continuing to affirm Vietnam’s position on the continental futsal stage./.

VNA
#Vietnam national futsal team #AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 #Head coach Diego Giustozzi
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