Vietnam has been drawn into a favorable group for the men's football tournament at the upcoming ASIAD 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026. In Group C, Vietnam will compete against Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and Kuwait.

The tournament will feature 16 teams, corresponding to those participating in the U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia. Vietnam's recent performance, including winning a bronze medal at the U23 Asian Cup, has helped secure its position in the top seed group alongside Japan, China, and South Korea. The other groups include strong teams such as Thailand, UAE, and Iran.

Vietnam is considered to have an advantage over the Philippines and Kuwait, although Uzbekistan is recognized as a strong contender in Asian football. In their previous encounters, Vietnam lost to Uzbekistan 0-3 in the U23 Asian Cup 2024 but managed a 3-1 victory against Kuwait. Additionally, in a friendly match in China, Vietnam lost 0-1 to Uzbekistan.

The tournament format will see teams play in a round-robin style, with points awarded to determine the four group winners and four runners-up who will advance to the quarter-finals. Similar to the Olympics, the men's football competition at ASIAD will allow U23 players, with each team permitted to include three over-age players.

In December 2025, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) proposed to the General Department of Sports and Physical Training to field a U21 team, featuring players born on or after January 1, 2005. This strategy is seen as an opportunity for younger players to gain experience ahead of the SEA Games 34 in Malaysia in 2027 and the U23 Asian Cup in 2028, which will also serve as qualifiers for the Olympic Games in the same year in the USA.

In women's football, Vietnam has been placed in Group A alongside Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. The women's tournament will also follow a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stage. Vietnam's women's team has qualified for ASIAD for the eighth consecutive time, with their best finish being fourth place in 2014.

As ASIAD 2026 approaches, both the men's and women's football teams will be looking to improve upon their past performances and make significant strides in the tournament.