Preparing to issue licenses for clubs participating in the National Championship and AFC club-level competitions

On the afternoon of April 17, 2026, the first Licensing Committee meeting of 2026 was held at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to review and evaluate the licensing work for clubs participating in the national professional football league system and AFC club-level competitions for the 2026/27 season.

At the meeting, the Administrative Licensing Department presented a comprehensive report on the licensing process for clubs participating in the National Championship and club-level competitions. AFC for the 2026/27 season according to the licensing schedule. The delegates discussed and reviewed the clubs' progress in meeting the licensing criteria, which include: Sports criteria; Infrastructure criteria; Financial criteria; Legal criteria; and Administrative Personnel criteria.

The Licensing Committee specifically emphasized compliance with the mandatory requirements (Category A criteria) that clubs must fulfill, such as: the head coach must hold a professional (PRO) coaching license; facilities must meet standards; there must be no overdue payments to employees, tax authorities, or social insurance; full participation in national youth competitions must be ensured... The Licensing Committee stressed that clubs failing to fully comply with the regulations and criteria outlined in the VFF and AFC Licensing Regulations will not be recommended for licensing to participate in competitions. First Division football clubs that do not engage in the licensing process will not be considered for promotion, even if they meet the sporting performance requirements.

Also within the agenda, the meeting heard a report on the survey and assessment of the current quality of the Youth Football Development Program for five clubs, including Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Dong A Thanh Hoa, and Tuong Tuoi Dong Nai.

Furthermore, the Licensing Committee received a report on the plan to implement a pilot licensing activity for women's football clubs. According to the plan, the VFF will carry out a two-phase pilot licensing process before officially implementing it by the end of 2027. This is a crucial preparatory step to meet AFC requirements, aiming towards licensing clubs for participation in the 2028 Women's National Championship and AFC women's club-level competitions for the 2028/29 season.

According to the schedule, on May 8, 2026, the Licensing Committee will decide on licensing for clubs participating in the 2026/27 National Championship, and on May 13, 2026, it will decide on licensing for clubs participating in AFC club-level competitions for the 2026/27 season.