Ready for the 2026 Asian Women’s Championship Qualifiers

In just a few days, Group E of the 2026 Asian Women’s Championship—Asian Cup Qualifiers will officially kick off at Viet Tri Stadium. As of now, thanks to the thorough preparations by the Phu Tho Provincial Organizing Committee, the Vietnam Women’s National Team, led by Head Coach Mai Duc Chung, has essentially completed its final training phase—ready to enter the tournament with the determination to leave a strong impression on fans.

Viet Tri Stadium is fully prepared for the opening day of Group E—2026 Asian Women’s Championship Qualifiers.

Taking place from June 29 to July 5, the Group E qualifiers will feature four women’s teams: Guam, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Maldives, and host nation Vietnam. Although the Golden Stars will not play their opening match against the Maldives until the evening of June 29, Coach Mai Duc Chung and his squad arrived in Phu Tho on June 18 to begin their final stage of preparation. According to recent training sessions, the players have shown marked improvements in both physical fitness and technical performance, meeting the tactical and professional demands set by the coaching staff.

As of the June 2025 FIFA world rankings, Vietnam is ranked 33rd globally and 5th in Asia—trailing only regional powerhouses such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s three group opponents—Guam, the UAE, and the Maldives—are currently ranked 93rd, 113th, and 159th, respectively. Despite being favored in terms of rankings and form, Coach Mai Duc Chung remains cautious as the qualifiers approach.

Captain Huynh Nhu and her teammates are training diligently to be in peak condition.

Speaking to reporters, Coach Mai Duc Chung said, “In our group, I rate the UAE very highly. After watching the match between Abu Dhabi Country Club and Ho Chi Minh City Club in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AFC Women’s Champions League—where the UAE squad features many players from that club—I see them as our direct competitors. Compared to Guam and the Maldives, the UAE poses a greater challenge. Therefore, aside from the players’ own efforts, I hope that fans across the country will show their support and affection for the women’s team, just as they have for the men’s. That encouragement will give the players more confidence and motivation to achieve the best possible results.”

To ensure a successful opening to the Group E qualifiers, the Phu Tho Provincial Organizing Committee has made comprehensive preparations in terms of facilities, training conditions, accommodation, and competition venues. As this is a major continental sporting event, local police and medical units have deployed measures to ensure security, public order, and healthcare services at both training and accommodation sites. Delegates, referees, and the four teams will be accommodated at Muong Thanh Luxury Phu Tho Hotel, Saigon Phu Tho Hotel, and X2 Vibe Viet Tri Hotel—all meeting strict standards for international guests.

Mr. Huynh Cong Danh, Deputy General Director of Saigon Phu Tho Hotel, said, “We strictly follow food hygiene and safety regulations to ensure proper nutrition and health for the players. In addition, rooms and living spaces have been upgraded to provide a comfortable and positive experience for the teams.”

Saigon Phu Tho Hotel has fully prepared its accommodations for teams participating in the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

At Viet Tri Stadium—where six official matches in Group E will be held—the pitch is being carefully maintained to meet competition standards set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and is currently in optimal condition. Additionally, various functional areas, technical rooms, and training grounds have been repaired and upgraded by the Organizing Committee to meet the needs of the participating teams.

The pitch at Viet Tri Stadium is in peak condition ahead of the tournament.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, Director of the Phu Tho Province Sports Complex Management and Exploitation Center, shared, “All preparations for the tournament have been completed, and we are ready for the opening day. In recent days, we have worked closely with the AFC inspection team to review the entire facility system, receiving high praise. During the tournament, we will continue to coordinate with AFC supervisors to ensure all regulations are met—contributing to a successful and memorable event.”

Thanks to the detailed planning and collaboration of the local Organizing Committee and professional agencies, Phu Tho Province is fully ready to host the qualifiers, aiming to deliver a successful tournament while promoting the province’s image to domestic and international visitors. Notably, Viet Tri Stadium—where Vietnamese teams have remained unbeaten in 18 consecutive matches across five official international tournaments—is expected to once again provide strong spiritual support for Coach Mai Duc Chung and his players as they strive to secure the sole ticket to the 2026 Asian Cup Finals in Australia.

Quoc Dai