Football Australia is pleased to announce that the Vietnam U15 women’s national team and the Japan Football Association (JFA) Academy U15 men’s team will compete in the 2026 CommBank Emerging Championships.
The participation of JFA Academy and Vietnam follows the successful participation of Malaysia in the 2025 edition, the first time an international team had been included in the revamped youth tournaments.
Vietnam will participate in the CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships at the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora, entering the U15 Girls competition. The addition of Vietnam will give Australia’s best female talent the opportunity to test themselves against one of the region’s highest performers.
Vietnam is a regional leader in women’s football development and is a powerhouse in southeast Asian women’s football which is highlighted by a debut appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, a quarter final appearance at the most recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and medals at both the ASEAN Women’s Championships and Southeast Asian Games.
Japan who will be travelling to Australia from their academy base in Kumamoto, will compete in the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships at Valentine Sports Park in Glenwood, entering the U15 Boys competition.
The JFA Academy have been at the forefront of football development in Asia for many years and will provide an excellent opportunity for Australia’s most talented youth to test themselves against Asia’s best.
Quotes attributable to Football Australia Executive Director Football, Heather Garriock:
“We are delighted to welcome teams from Vietnam and JFA Academy to Australia and are excited to see them compete in the CommBank Emerging Championships. Not only will these teams add to the quality on the pitch but also strengthens the relationship between Football Australia and our friends at the VFF and JFA.
“Including international teams in the tournament gives Australia’s elite youth the opportunity to test themselves against different types of opponents, and specifically the type of opposition they will face when they graduate to our youth national teams.
“Importantly, it gives our coaches the chance to view future national team players in these circumstances – helping guide selection and strategy going forward.”
Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Sport and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper:
“We’re thrilled to be hosting young international footballers in Sydney for the CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships this year. As the nation’s home of football, Sydney provides the perfect stage for our future national heroes to showcase their skills at what is now an international tournament.
“Not only does it provide an important platform for outstanding young Australian footballers to compete against quality international opposition, but it will also bring hundreds of national and international players, staff, officials and supporters to Sydney, providing a vital boost to the local businesses and jobs that rely on our visitor economy.”
2026 CommBank Emerging Championships.
CommBank Emerging Matildas Championships
Venue: Home of the Matildas, Bundoora, Melbourne, Victoria
Dates: 9 – 15 April 2026
CommBank Emerging Socceroos Championships
Venue: Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood, Sydney, New South Wales
Dates: 18 – 24 April 2026
