Futsal

The national women's futsal team train in HCM City, the start of their World Cup campaign. Photo courtesy of Thái Sơn Nam FC

HÀ NỘI — Coach Nguyễn Đình Hoàng is working with 15 female futsal players in their first training session in HCM City to prepare for the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, to be hosted in the Philippines.

They will be training until July 16 at the Thái Sơn Nam Sports Centre where they will sharpen skills and have two friendlies, before leaving for an international friendly tournament running from July 11 to 15 in China.

It is the first international activity of the national team since they took silver at the SEA Games 31 in 2022

The world governing football body, FIFA, launched the first World Cup of women's futsal in May in Bangkok, Thailand. It will feature nations from all six confederations.

Assistant coach Huỳnh Thị Thanh Khiết speaks with players during training. She is helping out head coach Nguyễn Đình Hoàng. — Photo courtesy of Thái Sơn Nam FC

Known for its rich culture, diverse landscapes and warm hospitality, the Philippines is a unique and fascinating destination for this tournament’s debut, giving fans much to get excited about both on and away from the futsal court, according to FIFA.

The Philippines automatically gets a slot as host, while the remaining 15 slots will be filled by three countries each from members of the Asian Football Confederation and South American Football Confederation; two countries each from the Confederation of African Football and Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football; one from the Oceania Football Confederation; and four from the Union of European Football Associations.

Việt Nam, which is currently ranked world No 13 and Asian No 4, is expected to join the global largest competition. The 2025 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Futsal Asian Cup will serve as a qualification for the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup.

At the last continental tournament in 2018, Việt Nam finished fourth.

The World Cup's proposed format will have the 16 teams divided into four groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout phase, comprising of quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off and the final. VNS