In November 2022, at the 9th Congress, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) set a goal of qualifying for the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, competing for the opportunity to reach the finals and aiming to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. However, the 2026 target was unsuccessful. And not only was it unsuccessful, what has happened since then has even raised questions about the level of Vietnamese football, whether it is really enough to compete for a ticket to the World Cup?
Earlier this year, after winning the ASEAN Cup, coach Kim Sang-sik boldly set a goal for the Vietnam team. He assessed that Vietnamese players are capable enough to compete in the World Cup, also because the countrys football has become more open with a naturalization strategy, in which Nguyen Xuan Son is an important factor for the results of the recent tournament. However, the condition is if prepared enough.
The good news is that FIFA will consider increasing the number of teams participating in the 2030 World Cup to 64 - on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the tournament. This means that the Vietnamese team has a chance when most likely Asia will be given 12 spots. But an opportunity does not mean a place. On the contrary, we must prepare better because the opponent also sees the opportunity.
The problem is, what is good enough preparation? From a human perspective, what do we have for the present and preparing for the future? The pillars are also getting older over time, is the next generation ready enough? And it is also necessary to remember that, while we are moving, opponents do not stand still and wait.
Another problem is, Suppose the Vietnamese team has a ticket to the 2030 World Cup, will that ensure their participation in the next finals, when the number of participating teams returns to 48? In other words, from the motivation of 2030, we can rebuild our foundation to be truly sustainable, to truly be in the group of teams with the opportunity to compete instead of just having the opportunity to thank FIFA to increase the number of teams.
Therefore, instead of being optimistic about the possibility of the 2030 World Cup increasing to 64 teams, Vietnamese football needs to have the same preparation as "normal", even stronger. How many more Xuan Son are needed, how many talented players are needed from the young generation for the long road ahead... All must be calculated. And take it seriously.
