Vietnam U23 squad for ASIAD 2026: Telling absentees and the rebuilding puzzle

The U23 Vietnam squad for ASIAD 2026 has just been announced. Fans might have expected a full list of names that made history, but the reality is different. This 23-player squad is missing many important pillars, making experts question the real ambition of Vietnamese football on the continental stage. Having followed Vietnamese football for decades, I rarely see a squad list that reflects the trade-off between two goals so clearly. The context of this ASIAD is special. The national team just won the ASEAN Cup, while the U23 side brought home a bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. Never before has Vietnamese youth football held such a strong position in Southeast Asia. Therefore, when the coaching staff announced the ASIAD squad, people expected to see a near-complete core of the generation that had just achieved success. But the absentees speak volumes. According to the Vietnam Football Federation, three players – Nguyen Dinh Bac, Tran Trung Kien and Nguyen Nhat Minh – are not in the ASIAD 2026 squad because they are planned for the national team. This decision shows that the technical department prioritizes the long-term goals of the senior national team over chasing results in a youth tournament. For an U23 squad, losing three of the most important players is like losing three key gears in the game plan. Moreover, the squad has also suffered from injuries. Four players – Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Thai Son, Bui Vi Hao and Khua Van Khang – have to stay home due to ligament injuries. These are important contributors to the U23 Asian Championship bronze medal. Without them, coach Dinh Hong Vinh not only loses professional quality but also experience in high-level competition. Looking at the squad structure, U23 Vietnam has 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 9 midfielders and 4 forwards. The overwhelming number of midfielders compared to forwards signals a clear direction: the team wants to control the midfield and remain flexible in ball rotation. Of course, a squad list does not tell the whole tactical story. But given the absence of key pillars, adding more players in midfield is a safe choice to keep the team's rhythm against stronger Asian opponents. What is notable is the diversity of player supply. This list includes players from Hanoi FC, SLNA, Cong An TP HCM, CAND, Hai Phong, Quy Nhon United, Hue, Ninh Binh and The Cong. Instead of relying on one dominant club, U23 Vietnam is showing that youth training has spread across the country. This is a good sign for sustainable development, although the actual professional quality still needs to be tested in matches. The bronze-medal generation has partly completed its mission. At this ASIAD, U23 Vietnam needs fresh blood. Names like Nguyen Quoc Viet and Nguyen Thanh Nhan are expected to seize this rare opportunity to prove their value. If they shine in Japan, the door to the national team will open wide. Conversely, if the team is eliminated early, experts will have to review the whole selection process and the coordination between the two national team levels. Coach Dinh Hong Vinh is facing a difficult problem. He inherits a squad that just won a continental medal, but the current force is not intact. If the ASIAD results are poor, public pressure will fall on him, even though the main cause comes from the Federation's personnel policy. In football, coaches often pay the price for decisions made above them. But that is also an opportunity for him to prove his ability in adversity. What is remarkable is how the VFF handled information. The squad was announced with fairly detailed reasons for absences: some for national team duties, some for injuries. This is an early move to manage expectations. Instead of letting fans dream of a medal and then wake up disappointed, the Federation proactively lowered the target by explaining the losses. This approach is not new, but it shows maturity in communication. In terms of finance and governance, there is not enough information to make a full assessment. There are no figures on training costs, injury insurance or agreements between clubs and the Federation regarding player release. However, the absence of players for professional reasons shows that the relationship between the national team and the U23 team is being coordinated rather strictly. This is a positive signal on the management side, but caution is still needed. It must be emphasized that ASIAD is not within the normal FIFA Days system. Whether clubs are obliged to release players depends on the specific regulations of the Asian Games. In this case, the national team is prioritized over the U23 team, meaning the U23 side must find ways to adapt. Without thorough physical and tactical preparation, the risk of injury will increase. Vietnamese youth football is at a crossroads. If ASIAD 2026 is used as a springboard for the next generation, even failure can be acceptable. If the Federation still sets a medal target but does not have the best force, that is a difficult contradiction to explain. The recent ASEAN Cup success has created a big boost, but it has also pushed the U23 generation into a difficult position: they must both maintain results and undergo renewal. Looking at the Asian football landscape, opponents such as Japan, South Korea and Uzbekistan cannot be underestimated. U23 Vietnam is currently in the upper-middle group of Asia, but the gap with the top group remains. A successful ASIAD does not necessarily mean a medal; it can mean finding players capable of carrying the national team in the next five years. Seen from that perspective, this squad list contains more ambition than people think. The most important thing now is for coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his staff to quickly rebuild cohesion. Young players with little international experience need time to understand tactical ideas. ASIAD is a harsh environment where every individual mistake can cost the team. Therefore, the medical and fitness staff play a crucial role. A new injury in midfield could collapse the entire plan. Looking back at history, Vietnamese football has surprised many times in youth tournaments. But stability is what builds a strong football nation. This ASIAD may not bring immediate glory, but if the next generation is given the right opportunity, it will bring much greater value than a temporary medal. Fans need to be patient, and experts need to look beyond the scoreboard. In conclusion, the 23-player squad for ASIAD 2026 is not just a list of names. It reflects a two-tier strategy of Vietnamese football: prioritizing the national team in major tournaments while giving the young generation a chance to test themselves on the continental stage. Is this trade-off worth it? The answer will come after the group stage ends. For now, all we can do is wait and believe in the people wearing the U23 Vietnam shirt. I have often said things that the majority thought impossible, and time proved me right. With this U23 generation, I want to place a similar belief: they may not shine immediately, but they will learn to grow from the harshest challenges.