Ready to Kick Off: Southern Qualifiers for Vietnam Football Championship for Workers and Civil Servants 2026

The southern region qualifiers for the 2026 Vietnam Football Championship for Workers and Civil Servants are on the cusp of kicking off, with a final technical meeting held to ensure all operational aspects are in order. Scheduled from June 7 to 10, the event will see 24 teams compete, bringing the total national participation to 48.

Key discussions at the technical meeting focused on the intricacies of 7-a-side football rules, as explained by national referee supervisor Huynh Nguyen Thanh. Particular attention was given to the "Denial of Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity" (DOGSO) rule, with clear guidelines provided on when a direct red card would be issued, especially concerning the goalkeeper's position and the number of attackers versus defenders.

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The cooling break time will take place approximately from the 18th to the 20th minute of each half. The specific stopping time will be flexibly managed by the main referee based on the actual match diễn biến (when the ball is out of play) and the hot weather conditions in Ho Chi Minh City to protect the players' health.

To prioritize player well-being, especially in Ho Chi Minh City's potentially hot weather, a "cooling break" will be implemented between the 18th and 20th minute of each half. Referees will have the discretion to adjust the timing based on game flow and weather conditions. Each team can register up to seven substitutes, with four allowed substitutions per match, excluding those made during halftime.

The tournament also stresses fairness through stringent personnel checks. Participants must be workers or civil servants with at least one year of continuous social insurance contributions, verified via the VssID application. Medical support will be provided, with team medical staff given priority access to treat their players, supplemented by the organizing committee's medical team if needed.

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The southern region qualifiers bring together a full 24 teams, increasing the total number of participating teams nationwide to 48.