Vietnam U23 squad for ASIAD 2026: Missing core players, opening door for next generation

The 23-player list of Vietnam U23 for ASIAD 2026 was announced shortly after Vietnamese football reached two big milestones: the national team won the ASEAN Cup and the U23 side earned a bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. However, the squad travelling to Japan does not include the core group that created those achievements. Head coach Đinh Hồng Vinh must accept that many key players are unavailable, and that opportunities are open for the next generation. The most notable absences are Nguyễn Đình Bắc, Trần Trung Kiên and Nhật Minh, who all helped the national team win the ASEAN Cup. They are not injured but have been kept for the national team plan, meaning the coaching staff prioritize the senior side over ASIAD. In addition, Nguyễn Hiểu Minh, Nguyễn Thái Sơn, Bùi Vĩ Hào and Khuất Văn Khang withdrew because of ligament injuries. This group contributed directly to the U23 Asian bronze medal, so the loss is significant. The 23 players include 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 9 midfielders and 4 forwards. Having nine midfielders but only four strikers suggests the coach wants to strengthen control in the middle, but this remains a guess because the squad list reveals no tactical plan. With many new faces, Đinh Hồng Vinh needs time to experiment. ASIAD 2026 in Japan could be a testing ground for bigger goals ahead. Another positive signal is the club base. Players come from Hà Nội FC, SLNA, Công An TP.HCM, CAND, Hải Phòng, Quy Nhơn United, Huế, Ninh Bình and Thể Công. Nine clubs contributing players shows that youth training in Vietnam is spreading beyond a single centre. Because ASIAD is not part of FIFA Days, the football federation has every right to decide player availability. The real issue is managing public expectation. Fans have just seen the national team win the ASEAN Cup and the U23 team take a continental bronze, so they naturally expect ASIAD success. If the federation does not explain the two-track strategy clearly, the head coach may face harsh criticism if the team is eliminated early. The list reflects a transition, not a sign of weakness. Keeping senior players for the national team is a long-term calculation: a successful qualification campaign or an Asian Cup place outweighs a medal at a multi-sport event. The absence of a few talented individuals can accelerate the growth of new names. For young players such as Nguyễn Quốc Việt and Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn, this is a golden chance to prove themselves and earn a future place in the senior squad. Can this next generation meet the challenge? The answer will be written on the pitches in Japan, where every match will test the real depth of Vietnamese football. ASIAD 2026 should be judged not by medals, but by how many young players rise to a higher level after the tournament.