Manila – The Vietnamese national football team has landed in Manila, the Philippines, on November 13, commencing their preparations for the first Asian qualifier match for the 2026 World Cup. Their arrival marks the beginning of a series of training sessions at the Rizal Memorial stadium, strategically aimed at acclimatizing the team to local conditions.

According to Vietnam News Agency, they are set to undergo three additional training sessions. These sessions are crucial for the team to adapt to the weather and playing field conditions in the Philippines, ensuring they are well-prepared for the upcoming match.

On the evening of November 12, coach Troussier announced the selection of 28 Vietnamese players who would travel to the Philippines for the opening match in Group F of the Asian qualifiers. This announcement came as part of the team’s strategic preparations for the crucial qualifying games.

The Vietnamese team is slated to face the Philippines in the opening match of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers on November 16. This match is pivotal for Vietnam as they embark on their journey in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Following the match against the Philippines, the Vietnamese team will return to Hanoi to prepare for their second qualifier match. This next game, scheduled for November 21, will see them compete against Iraq at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. This match is part of Vietnam’s ongoing efforts in their bid for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.