Losing to Iraq, Vietnam still has a bright chance to win a ticket to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup

In the second match of Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, despite their best efforts, the Vietnamese team still suffered a regrettable defeat with a minimum score of 0-1 against the Iraqi team.

The goal that the "Golden Dragon Army" conceded came in the 7th minute of extra time of the match. The minimal victory helped the West Asian team continue to lead Group F with 6 absolute points after two matches (+5 goal difference).

As for the Vietnamese team, despite the defeat, coach Philippe Troussier's team still maintained second place in Group F (3 points, goal difference +1) because in the match that took place about an hour before, the two teams Indonesia and the Philippines held each other to a 1-1 draw.

Having the same 1 point after two matches as the Philippines, but due to a lower goal difference (-4 compared to -2), the team from the archipelago is temporarily ranked at the bottom of Group F.

The draw with their main opponent Indonesia gives the Vietnamese team an advantage in the race for one of the two tickets in Group F (along with Iraq) to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup.

Specifically, the army of "White Witch" Philippe Troussier needs to defeat Indonesia in two direct confrontations on March 21, 2024 (away) and March 26, 2024 (home My Dinh Stadium) to expand the opportunity to continue in this group.

If Vietnam gets 6 absolute points after the next two matches with Indonesia, the Vietnamese team will have 9 points after 4 matches and will definitely be ranked above the team from the archipelago in any case. At that time, the opponent competing for the second ticket with the Vietnamese team will be the Philippines team.

The Philippines is currently ranked third with 1 point after 2 matches (goal difference -2). In case coach Michael Weiss's team wins both matches against Iraq (70 places higher than the Philippines in the FIFA rankings) and the return match against Indonesia, the Philippines will have 10 points after 5 matches.

At that time, coach Philippe Troussier's team will still hold the right to decide the second leg against the Philippines at My Dinh Stadium on June 6, 2024.

After the match with Iraq, the French strategist also affirmed that he considered Indonesia to be a direct opponent in the race for a ticket to the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Group F.

"I would like the fans to look at the team's goal more comprehensively, which is to finish the group stage in one of the top two positions to qualify for the third qualifying round. With all due respect to the Philippines team, I can say that Vietnam's main opponent is Indonesia - a team that we have a 2-point advantage over," coach Troussier concluded.