Football

President of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Khiev Sameth (left) congratulates VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn after he is appointed representative of the AFF to join the AFC Executive Committee. Photos of VFF

HCM CITY — President of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Khiev Sameth hailed the success of the federation's annual congress and expected Việt Nam to secure a place at the World Cup 2026.

The congress held on the weekend in HCM City, was attended by senior leaders in the AFF, representatives of the world football federation FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), leaders of international football organisations, including federation presidents of Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The congress believed that with the leadership of the AFF Council and President Sameth, and the joint contributions of member federations, Southeast Asian football would continue to make great strides.

Sameth said the congress was an opportunity for members to propose appropriate policies to promote regional football to develop more strongly in the future.

The congress elected Mariano Araneta Jr, president of the Philippine Football Federation, Vice President of AFF, an additional position for the organisation. Araneta Jr and three current vice presidents have completed the senior leadership of AFF in the term of 2023-27, aiming for the great goals of regional football in the coming time.

Trần Quốc Tuấn, president of the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF), received high trust from the delegates to be representative of the AFF to join the AFC Executive Committee for the term 2023-27.

It was his fourth consecutive time participating in the AFC Standing Committee. Tuấn is currently a member of the AFF Council and Head of AFF Competition Committee.

Tuấn has received high praise from the AFC through his comments and suggestions and breakthrough solutions for the development of Asian football.

Delegates take part in the AFF's annual congress held on October 1 in HCM City. — Photo of VFF

In addition, as Head of the AFC Competition Committee, Tuấn has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of major Asian tournaments including the Asian Cup. Currently, he is head of the AFC delegation managing men's and women's football at 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

"Southeast Asian football has made strong development steps, contributing to elevating regional football on the international football map," said Tuấn.

"The VFF is very pleased with the overall progress of Southeast Asian football, including the positive contribution of Vietnamese football. As the host of the congress and an active member of the AFF, the VFF believes that with the intelligence and enthusiasm of all members, the AFF will reach new heights in developments, meeting the expectations of fans in the common home of regional football."

Sameth added: "The AFF and I personally appreciate the role and positive dynamism of the VFF in the overall development of Southeast Asian football.

"The VFF has experienced as well as demonstrated professionalism when successfully hosting many important events of Southeast Asian and Asian football.

"I was very impressed with the organisation's activities and highly appreciated this preparation. The VFF did a good job from logistics to organising the main event. I am very pleased with what the VFF has done."

The President said the AFF respected and appreciated VFF's role in the overall development of regional football. The VFF contributed a lot to the positive changes and higher results of ASEAN, pushing our football to the world.

Sameth was impressed with Việt Nam's achievement, especially the women's football which competed for the first time at the 2023 World Cup, in recent years.

He said it showed the VFF's right strategy and direction in football management, administration and development.

"I know that the Việt Nam is heading toward the World Cup 2026. Personally, I look forward to the squad participating in the event and I believe that you will accomplish the goal," he said.

"AFF is very happy to witness the progress of Việt Nam football through each stage. We believe that Vietnamese football will make stronger strides. Your success is also the pride of Southeast Asian football." VNS