Vibrant football tournament for the Vietnamese community in the Kanto region, Japan
WVR - On August 16, at the Redsland Sports Complex in Saitama City, Japan, the FAVIJA KANTO CUP 2026 – a community football tournament for Vietnamese in the Kanto region – took place with great enthusiasm, featuring 32 teams and a large number of supporters.
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The tournament was organized by the Vietnam-Japan International Exchange Organization (FAVIJA), under the patronage of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan. From over 60 registered teams, the organizers selected 32 teams to participate, divided into 8 groups. The teams competed in a round-robin format on 8 fields simultaneously, followed by knockout rounds.
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| The KANTO CUP is increasingly becoming an anticipated event for the Vietnamese community in the Kanto region, especially the youth. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
A sporting rendezvous for Vietnamese in Kanto
Organized annually by FAVIJA, the KANTO CUP is increasingly becoming an anticipated event for the Vietnamese community in the Kanto region, especially the youth.
Each season, the playground not only promotes the sports movement but also provides an opportunity for overseas Vietnamese to meet, interact, and share life experiences.
In the rare cool weather of summer, hundreds of Vietnamese and many Japanese locals gathered at the field, enthusiastically cheering for the teams. The vibrant atmosphere in the stands contributed to a sports festival rich in community spirit.
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| Delegates attending the event. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Pham Binh Anh, Counselor, Head of the Consular Section, Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, emphasized that football is not just a sport but also a means of connecting people, fostering team spirit and friendship.
According to Mr. Pham Binh Anh, with the growing and diverse Vietnamese community in Japan, sports activities, including football, play a practical role in enhancing interaction, mutual support, and strengthening ties. Through this, the Vietnamese community continues to make positive contributions to Japanese society while fostering the friendship between the two countries.
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| Atmosphere on the field. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Spreading the spirit of unity
From a love for football, the FAVIJA KANTO CUP has created an open community space where Vietnamese of various ages and professions can meet and connect. For young people, the tournament is also an opportunity to improve health, build a healthy lifestyle, and expand relationships within the community.
After a day of intense competition, FC J-Connect claimed the championship; FC Real Tobama took the runner-up position; FC Uni-co Hai Phong and FC Hai Duong shared third place.
The organizers awarded the Top Scorer title to Albulu Diego (FC ISC); Best Goalkeeper to Ngo Van Sang, and Best Player of the tournament to Hoang Quoc Viet, both from FC J-Connect.
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| FC J-Connect wins the championship. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
According to Mr. Do Quang Ba, Chairman of FAVIJA, the four teams with the best results in the tournament will qualify to participate in the National Vietnamese Football Festival in Japan in 2026, expected to take place in mid-November in Tokyo.
With its expanding scale, the FAVIJA KANTO CUP is transcending the boundaries of a grassroots football tournament, becoming a meaningful community activity that contributes to building solidarity, mutual support, and maintaining the connection of Vietnamese in Japan with their homeland.
(Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Japan)
