Vietnam sports delegation prepares for ASIAD 20 in Japan

The Vietnam sports delegation has officially held a send-off ceremony in Hanoi ahead of the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20), scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The delegation consists of approximately 498 members, including 348 athletes competing in 33 sports. The team has set a target of winning at least 4 to 6 gold medals and aims to break into the top 20 overall ranking.

In football, the U23 Vietnam squad has finalized its 23-player roster. However, the team faces a setback with midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong sidelined due to a muscle injury. He will be replaced by Hoang Quang Dung from Hue FC. The U23 squad is focused on youth development, opting not to use any overage players for this tournament.

Competitors in Group C include Uzbekistan, Philippines, and Kuwait. Uzbekistan has announced a strong roster featuring Mukhammadali Urinboev, a player currently competing in Belgium. The ASIAD 20 opening ceremony is set for September 19 at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, themed ‘Harmonic Heart Beat’ to emphasize continental unity.