HOT: For the World Cup, the Vietnamese team is about to naturalize a super striker standing 1.90m tall.

The 16-year-old forward Oliver Williams could prove to be a valuable asset for Vietnam's U17 squad at the World Cup later this year if he acquires citizenship.

Vietnam's U17 team will make their first-ever appearance in the FIFA U17 World Cup when the tournament kicks off in Qatar next November.Coach Cristiano Roland's side is in Group G alongside Belgium, Mali, and New Zealand, facing Belgium on November 20, New Zealand on November 23, and Mali on November 26. Having to wait until the end of November to enter the World Cup means Vietnamese football still has more than three months to await positive developments regarding Oliver Williams' citizenship. If the procedures are completed and the player meets the match conditions, the 1.89m tall striker could become a very quality addition to Vietnam's U17 attack.

Oliver Williams is reportedly on the verge of acquiring Vietnamese citizenship, just like his older brother Lee Williams. Previously, after the 2025/2026 season, Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh decided to buy out Lee Williams from The Cong Viettel, opening an opportunity for the Vietnamese-English player to continue playing and developing long-term in Vietnamese football. The fact that his brother already has Vietnamese citizenship has further increased interest in Oliver's case.

According to some sources, Oliver is still under 18, currently living with his mother, and his mother has already obtained Vietnamese citizenship. Vietnamese law has provisions regarding the change of citizenship for minor children when a parent is granted or regains Vietnamese citizenship. For those aged 15 to under 18, the change of citizenship also requires the written consent of the person themselves. Therefore, Oliver's case has a basis to be considered, but must still await procedures and official confirmation from the competent authorities.

Oliver Williams was born in 2010, with an English father and a Vietnamese mother of Chinese descent. This young talent is currently training in the English football environment. According to Zerix Scout, Oliver trains within the Robbie Fowler Academy system, a football center founded by Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler. This is an environment oriented towards training young players according to English football standards.

Oliver's special feature lies in his physique, as the striker is already about 1.89m tall at age 16. His outstanding physique gives him a significant advantage in challenges, aerial duels, holding off defenders, and operating in the penalty area. For a young team like Vietnam's U17, a striker with a solid physical foundation and training in England can clearly offer a different option in attack.

Therefore, the period from now until the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 becomes even more noteworthy for the case of Oliver Williams. Vietnam's U17 will step onto the world's biggest stage at this level facing strong challenges like Belgium and Mali, alongside New Zealand. If the citizenship issue is completed in time and FIFA regulations are met, Oliver could become a "gem" worth waiting for, while also increasing the depth of the squad for Vietnam's historic journey in Qatar.