AFC makes a crucial decision regarding the Vietnam national team at the Asian Cup

South Korean referee Kim Yu Jeong will be the match official for the Vietnam women's national team's opening game versus India in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.

The journey to secure a ticket to the 2027 Women's World Cup for the Vietnam women's national team at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup will commence with the opening match against India at 18:00 on March 4th. Ahead of this important encounter, the AFC has officially announced the officiating team for the match, with South Korean referee Kim Yu Jeong being the most notable name.

According to the assignment, Kim Yu Jeong will serve as the main referee. Her assistants will be Heba Saadieh (Palestine) and Hinthong Supawan (Thailand), while the fourth official is Mahnaz Zokaee (Iran). VAR duties will be handled by referee Muhammad Taqi (Singapore). This officiating team is considered highly experienced in continental competitions.

Kim Yu Jeong is no stranger to Asian football. She has refereed numerous major AFC tournaments, including men's matches. Notably, the South Korean official has overseen games involving CAHN Club and Nam Dinh in the 2025/2026 AFC Cup, demonstrating the AFC's confidence in her professional capabilities.

For the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, the AFC has assigned all on-field referees to be women. However, as all 27 matches will utilize VAR technology, some male referees are still assigned to assist in the video operation room. This aims to ensure maximum accuracy and fairness for the tournament.

Regarding the format, the tournament features 12 teams divided into three groups. The group winners and runners-up, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners secure semi-final spots, while the losing teams enter a playoff series. The final is scheduled for March 21st.

According to the AFC's slot allocation, Asia has 6 direct qualification spots for the 2027 Women's World Cup, awarded to the four semi-finalists and the two playoff winners. The two teams that lose in the playoffs will compete for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs. In this context, the opening match officiated by Kim Yu Jeong is not just a starting point but also a pivotal moment for Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team's World Cup ambitions.