The Vietnam U-17 football team is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place from November 19 to December 13 in Qatar. With a total of 48 teams participating, the tournament features a new format that allows third-placed teams from each group to have a chance to advance to the knockout stage. This gives Vietnam a fighting chance in their group, which includes Belgium, Mali, and New Zealand.

Vietnam is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, the current European runner-up, and Mali, the reigning African champion. Despite being considered the underdogs, the Vietnamese team can secure a spot in the round of 32 by defeating New Zealand, which is perceived as the weakest team in the group.

New Zealand has a strong track record in the Oceania region, having won the U-17 championship multiple times, but their performance in the World Cup has been less impressive. Historically, they have struggled to advance past the group stage. Vietnam's recent victory over Australia in the Southeast Asian U-17 Championship adds to their confidence as they prepare to face New Zealand on November 23.

The matches for Vietnam are scheduled as follows: they will first meet Belgium on November 20, then New Zealand on November 23, and finally Mali on November 26. The team's coach, Cristiano Roland, is optimistic about their chances and aims to lead them to a successful campaign.

In addition to the team's preparations, there are reports that three domestic media outlets are collaborating to acquire broadcasting rights for the U-17 World Cup to ensure that Vietnamese fans can watch the matches live. Negotiations for the rights are reportedly challenging due to high costs set by FIFA's commercial partners.