FIFA President Gianni Infantino has written to Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President Trần Quốc Tuấn to congratulate Ho Chi Minh City I on winning the 2026 Vietnamese women's national championship, the VFF reported on 27 October. The letter arrives as the champions, listed by the AFC as Ho Chi Minh City Women's FC, prepare for the AFC Women's Champions League (AWCL) 2026/27 group stage, which starts on 1 November.
What the letter said
According to the VFF, Infantino praised the club's achievement, recognised the sustained effort and results behind its season, and congratulated everyone at the team and the club, calling the title a proud achievement for Vietnamese women's football. Báo Văn Hóa reported that his message also went to the coaching staff and players, and that he described the title as a deserved reward for the squad's hard work, unity and determination. Infantino also thanked the VFF for its continued support and contribution to developing women's football in Vietnam, and said he hoped to meet Trần Quốc Tuấn again soon.
A record domestic run
Thanh Niên reported that Ho Chi Minh City I wrapped up the title with two rounds to spare, confirming it in round 12, and finished on 28 points. It is the club's 15th national title and an eighth in a row, a record streak covering 2019-2026.
| Period | Ho Chi Minh City I milestone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First two AWCL editions | Reached the semi-finals and the quarter-finals | AFC |
| 2025 | 14th national title, seventh in a row; a fourth cup win completed the double | AFC |
| 2026 | 15th national title, eighth in a row; 28 points, champions from round 12 | Thanh Niên |
| 27 October 2026 | FIFA President's letter of congratulations, sent to the VFF President | VFF |
| 1 November 2026 | AWCL 2026/27 opener against East Bengal in Kolkata | AFC |
The AWCL group stage
The AFC says the third edition of the competition brings together 12 clubs in three groups of four, each playing a single round-robin at a centralised venue from 1 to 7 November. Six clubs qualified directly: holders Naegohyang of DPR Korea and the five top-ranked sides, Melbourne City, Hwacheon KSPO, INAC Kobe Leonessa, Beijing Jingtan and Ho Chi Minh City. The other six won their groups in the Preliminary Stage, which ended in August. Ho Chi Minh City, Melbourne City and Bam Khatoon are the only clubs to have played in every edition.
| Group | Venue | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| A | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon (Myanmar) | INAC Kobe Leonessa (Japan), Bam Khatoon (Iran), Naegohyang (DPR Korea), Ayeyawady FC - Women (Myanmar, hosts) |
| B | Kishore Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata (India) | Hwacheon KSPO (Korea Republic), 4.25 SC (DPR Korea), Ho Chi Minh City I (Vietnam), East Bengal (India) |
| C | Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi (Uzbekistan) | Beijing Jingtan (China PR), Kaya FC-Iloilo (Philippines), PFC Nasaf (Uzbekistan, hosts), Melbourne City (Australia) |
On Group B's opening day, Hwacheon KSPO play 4.25 SC at 2pm and Ho Chi Minh City I face East Bengal at 8pm local time, which is 9.30pm in Vietnam. East Bengal are India's reigning champions with two league titles to their name; they won all three of their Preliminary Stage Group A games with 20 goals and are making a second straight AWCL appearance. 4.25 SC scored 29 goals in three wins in the preliminaries and made DPR Korea the first member association with two clubs in a single AWCL season, while Hwacheon KSPO won the Korean title for the first time in 2025.
What comes next
Eight clubs go through to the quarter-finals: the three group winners, the three runners-up and the two best third-placed teams. The quarter-finals are single-leg ties in March 2027, and the semi-finals and final are played at a centralised venue in May 2027. Ho Chi Minh City I's three group games all fall between 1 and 7 November, starting with East Bengal.
More on Vietnamese clubs is under Vietnam football news.