Quảng Ninh will not take part as planned in the women’s football competition at the 2026 National Sports Games, Tuổi Trẻ reported. SGGP said four teams remain: Hà Nội, Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Bình and Thái Nguyên.
Quảng Ninh won the women’s gold medal at the 2022 Games after beating Ho Chi Minh City. Its withdrawal changes the field described when the competition was drawn on 26 October.
From five teams to four
Tuổi Trẻ listed the original five as Thái Nguyên, Hà Nội, Quảng Ninh, Ninh Bình and hosts Ho Chi Minh City. Under that earlier arrangement, Than khoáng sản Việt Nam represented Quảng Ninh and Phong Phú Hà Nam represented Ninh Bình, the report said.
On 4 November, Quảng Ninh’s culture, sports and tourism department sent a letter saying it would not proceed with the proposed coordination to send a women’s football team. Tuổi Trẻ reported the department’s explanation that some sports, including women’s football, lacked all the necessary conditions to form and send a provincial team.
The newspaper said organisers notified a change to technical arrangements and the competition plan on 5 November. The report did not specify a further cause, so none can be inferred.
Revised format awaits confirmation
The two outlets describe different ways to decide the medals. Tuổi Trẻ reported a round robin followed by a final and third-place match. SGGP described a single round robin determining the final standings and a new draw. The organisers or VFF need to confirm the revised format and schedule.
In the separate national women’s championship completed in October, Than khoáng sản Việt Nam finished fifth of seven, according to Tuổi Trẻ. Ho Chi Minh City I won ahead of Thái Nguyên T&T, Hà Nội I and Phong Phú Hà Nam. Those standings are not National Games results. More: Vietnam football news.