Tran Quoc Tuan officially takes charge of football operations at 2026 Asian Games

VFF Vice President Tran Quoc Tuan has been appointed as the head of football operations for the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 2026) in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This marks the third time a Vietnamese football official has held a senior operational role at Asia's largest multi-sport event, following previous assignments at the 2026 Incheon and 2026 Hangzhou Games. With extensive experience, Tuan will oversee all organizational and professional aspects of the men's and women's football competitions. He currently serves as a member of the AFC Executive Committee, Chairman of the AFC Competitions Committee, and holds a 2026-2029 term on the FIFA Men's National Team Competitions Committee. Alongside this, the Vietnam U23 team, coached by Dinh Hong Vinh, has entered its final preparation phase. The squad will be announced on September 9, gather on September 12, and depart for Japan on September 13. Vietnam U23 is placed in Group C alongside Kuwait, Philippines, and Uzbekistan. The schedule includes matches on September 15, 18, and 22. This compressed timeline and challenging opponents require careful physical and tactical management. Tuan's dual roles—operational head at ASIAD and chair of key AFC committees—grant Vietnam significant administrative influence but also raise questions about role concentration. The short preparation window and high expectations create both opportunities and risks for the young Vietnamese squad.