Vietnam eligible to join World Cup 2026’s second qualifying round
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.
Vietnamese players in a match in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam, ranked 17th inAsia, is set to advance to the 2026 World Cup’s Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2, according to the Asian Football Confederation’s new qualificationformat for the region, which boasts 8.5 berths.
According to the announcement, the 2026 FIFA World Cupqualification tournament will comprise four rounds, in which 22 teams, ranked26 to 47, will be drawn to play in a home-and-away format in the PreliminaryJoint Qualification Round 1, where the 11 winners will progress to Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.
In Round 2, 36 teams, ranked from 1 to 25, as well as the 11winners from the first round, will be divided into nine groups to compete in around-robin, home-and-away format, after which the top two teams from eachgroup – 18 in total – will advance to the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the WorldCup as well as the 2027 Asian Cup.
During the Asian Qualifiers, the 18 teams will be dividedinto three groups to compete in a round-robin, home-and-away format, with thetop two teams from each group qualifying directly to the 2026 World Cup.
The final round will consist of the third and fourth placedteams from all groups of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – six teams in total. The sixteams will be drawn into two groups of three teams each, competing in a singleround-robin format.
The two first-placed teams from the Asian Playoff groups willadvance to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The second-placed teams from both groupswill compete in a playoff match to determine the side that will represent theAFC in the Intercontinental Playoff./.
Vietnam finished their last home game of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers with a 0-1 loss to Oman at Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium on March 24.
Vietnam are determined to do their utmost in the game against Japan on March 29 in the third round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, head coach Park Hang-seo has said.
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.
Vietnamese players in a match in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. (Photo: VFF) 
