World Cup 2026 qualifying draw: Vietnam placed in "advantageous" group
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on July 27 conducted the official draw ceremonies of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Luck favours Vietnam, placing them in Group F alongside the Philippines, Iraq, and the winner of the play-off match between Indonesia and Brunei (yet to be held). (Photo: VFF)
Hanoi, (VNA) – The Asian Football Confederation(AFC) on July 27 conducted the official draw ceremonies of the PreliminaryJoint Qualification Round 1 and Round 2 of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFAWorld Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Due to Vietnam's world ranking of 95 and being among the top15 in Asia, they were exempted from the first qualifying round and directly advancedto the second round.
In this stage, luck favoured Vietnam, placing them in Group Falongside the Philippines, Iraq, and the winner of the play-off match betweenIndonesia and Brunei (yet to be held). This group is considered relatively easyfor the team.
According to the AFC, the 10 winners of Round 1 proceed toRound 2, where they are joined by the remaining 26 teams. These 36 sides willbe drawn into nine groups of four, competing against each team in ahome-and-away round-robin format, between November 2023 and June 2024.
All nine group winners and the respective runners-up willadvance to the third round of World Cup qualifying, and at the same time sealtheir places at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.
The draw for the third round of the global showpiece in 2026will be conducted in 2024, where the 18 teams will be divided into three groupsof six; the top two from each group will qualify directly for the FIFA WorldCup 2026. The other two direct AFC entrants will be determined in the fourthround of World Cup qualifying, with one more possible berth available via anIntercontinental Playoff.
The 2026 World Cup finals will take place in the US, Canada,and Mexico, featuring the first-ever participation of 48 teams, with 8.5 spotsallocated for Asia./.
The Promotion Fund for Vietnamese Football Talent (PVF) Football Academy signed a comprehensive partnership development agreement with FK Sarajevo Club of Bosnia & Herzegovina on October 28.
Vietnam, ranked 17th in Asia, is set to advance to the 2026 World Cup’s Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2, according to the Asian Football Confederation’s new qualification format for the region, which boasts 8.5 berths.
Leading broadcaster of sports content in Vietnam, K+, has signed an unprecedented agreement to acquire on an exclusive basis all competitions organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the 2025-26 to 2028-29 seasons in Vietnam, starting with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers' final round in September 2024.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Luck favours Vietnam, placing them in Group F alongside the Philippines, Iraq, and the winner of the play-off match between Indonesia and Brunei (yet to be held). (Photo: VFF) 
