FIFA don pick Vietnam U17 midfielder Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc as one player to watch for the 2026 U17 World Cup for Qatar. The world football body name am for article on 7 November when e preview Group G, where Vietnam go face Mali, New Zealand and Belgium. The tournament go run from 19 November to 13 December, and na the first time Vietnam U17 go play the competition.
FIFA talk say Nguyen Luc get correct technique and versatile passing, and e be key man for the Vietnam side wey qualify. E also help Vietnam win the U17 Southeast Asia championship and dem name am best player of the tournament. The midfielder dey play for Hanoi FC. FIFA still list Mali winger Djigui Koita, New Zealand captain and defender Ethan Dyer, and Belgium winger Jayden Onia Seke as other players to watch for Group G.
Vietnam reach Qatar after dem reach quarterfinal of the U17 Asian championship under coach Cristiano Roland. For the qualifying road, Nguyen Luc score for the 6-0 win over Singapore and the 14-0 win over Northern Mariana Islands. E also give assist for Sy Bach goal against Singapore. For the decisive AFC U17 Championship match against UAE, e equalize for 41st minute with direct free kick, and Vietnam come back win 3-2. That result help Vietnam top the group with 6 points.
Dem born Nguyen Luc on 28 July 2009 for Nghe An. E join VST Academy in 2019 before e move to Hanoi youth academy in 2022. With Hanoi, e win two national U17 titles in 2024 and 2025, and dem pick am best player of the 2025 tournament. In September 2026, e get chance to play for V-League match between Hanoi and Song Lam Nghe An.
Group G no go easy. Belgium qualify as runner-up of the U17 European Championship after dem beat France 2-1 for semifinal and draw Italy 1-1 for final before losing on penalties. Belgium sabi hold ball, press and quick change from defence to attack. Mali don play seven times for the U17 World Cup and dem best result na second place for 2015; dem also finish third for 2023 and qualify through quarterfinal of the U17 Africa Cup. New Zealand don play 11 times, reach Round of 16 for 2009, 2011 and 2015, and qualify by winning the Oceania U16 championship in 2025.
Vietnam go open Group G against Belgium on 20 November 2026 by 8pm. Same day, Mali go face New Zealand by 8:30pm. Vietnam second match na against New Zealand on 23 November by 10:30pm. Against Belgium, Vietnam need stability, keep formation and reduce gaps for midfield; short passes and quick possession go help dem avoid bad duels. A positive result go give the young players motivation. Against New Zealand, Vietnam get better chance to match dem than Belgium and Mali, but dem must watch set pieces because New Zealand strong for physical play, duels and heading. Players like Nguyen Luc, Quy Vuong, Xuan Hoa, Sy Bach and Van Duong suppose use teamwork, technique and speed to make the difference.
