Vietnamese Women's National Team Aims for 2027 World Cup Dream

The Vietnamese Women's National Team is participating in the Asian Cup finals for the 10th consecutive time in Perth (Australia). In the qualifiers, Coach Mai Duc Chung's team demonstrated convincing form with decisive victories over Maldives, UAE, and Guam (scoring 17 goals without conceding any).

The Vietnamese Women's National Team aims to secure a World Cup berth through the 2026 Asian Cup, similar to the scenario they successfully achieved four years ago in India.

To accomplish the goal of participating in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team must secure a spot in the Asian Cup semifinals.

If unsuccessful, Huynh Nhu and her teammates still have a chance through the playoff group if they can advance to the quarterfinals. Accordingly, the Vietnamese Women's National Team needs to win two consecutive matches against teams eliminated in the quarterfinals. This was the path that previously led the Vietnamese women to their historic first World Cup appearance in New Zealand three years ago.

Based on current assessments, this could also be a suitable approach given the national team's current standing and level.

In the group stage of the 2026 Asian Cup, the Vietnamese Women's National Team in Group C will face India, Taiwan (China), and Japan. It is highly unlikely for Vietnam to gain a point or more against Japan, the top contender for the 2026 Asian Cup title, currently ranked 8th in the world and consistently within the continent's top four for the past 40 years. Therefore, the Vietnamese women must aim to secure 4 to 6 points from their first two matches against India and Taiwan. If results meet expectations, it is entirely possible for Coach Mai Duc Chung's squad to finish in 2nd or 3rd place in the group.

A victory against India in the opening match is considered essential, enabling the Vietnamese Women's National Team to strategically plan for subsequent stages of the 2026 Asian Cup.

In a second-round Olympic qualifier in October 2023, the Vietnamese Women's National Team defeated India 3-1 with goals from Huynh Nhu, Tran Thi Hai Linh, and Pham Hai Yen.

The task for the Vietnamese Women's National Team this time is assessed as quite challenging. Opponents like India and Taiwan have shown progress recently and are well-prepared for this Asian Cup.

India enters the tournament with strong determination after having to withdraw from hosting the Asian Cup four years ago due to COVID-19. However, a challenge for this team is that new coach Amelia Valverde has had limited time to adapt, having only taken over in January.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is also not an easy opponent. This is the team that Vietnam previously defeated to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. In this reunion, they will be direct competitors with Coach Mai Duc Chung's squad for second place in the group.

In the 2022 Women's Asian Cup in India, the Vietnamese Women's National Team was eliminated in the quarterfinals but won the playoff round by defeating Thailand and Taiwan to make their historic first appearance at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. After four years, Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team are eagerly anticipating a similar journey to once again participate in the world's biggest women's football event.