Vietnamese overseas striker, 1.9m tall, delivers great news: he could wear the Vietnam jersey as early as 2026

Thanks to his outstanding displays with Cong An TP.HCM, Lee Williams is gaining strong fan backing, which paves the way for a quicker naturalization process in Vietnam than originally scheduled.

Lee Williams is becoming one of the names most frequently talked about in Vietnamese football recently. The striker of Vietnamese-English heritage not only impresses with his brilliant on-field performances but also faces the chance to finalize his Vietnamese citizenship procedures soon.

Originally, Lee Williams was expected to become a Vietnamese citizen by early 2027. However, recent positive developments have likely accelerated this timeline.

According to insider sources, if the paperwork goes smoothly, the 2007-born striker could complete his naturalization around September 2026. This is a crucial milestone because it opens up the opportunity for Lee Williams to join the Vietnamese Olympic squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

Fan support is considered a key factor driving this process. Within a short period, Lee Williams has made a strong impression with his standout performances for Cong An TP.HCM.

The 1.90m striker scored important goals in succession, notably the efforts that helped the police team overcome Nam Dinh in the semi-finals and beat Ninh Binh in the National Cup final. Those displays earned him widespread praise from experts and fans alike.

Last season, Lee Williams made 17 appearances for Cong An TP.HCM and recorded 6 goals plus 2 assists. With an ideal physique, good speed, and effective aerial ability, he is seen as the type of center-forward that Vietnamese teams currently lack.

Besides performing well as a striker, Lee Williams can also play as a playmaker or attacking midfielder. This versatility makes him a promising option for Vietnam's youth teams in the future.

At the Olympic level, Lee Williams' arrival could provide a solution to the center-forward issue. During the international friendly tournament last March, the Vietnamese Olympic team revealed significant limitations in scoring against China, Thailand, and North Korea.

Lee Williams himself also has a bright future at club level. After a successful loan period, Cong An TP.HCM decided to buy him outright and include him in their long-term development plans.

If he completes naturalization in the coming months, Lee Williams will not only have opportunities to play for the youth teams but could also become a notable option for Vietnamese football in the future. With his current form, this overseas Vietnamese striker is getting very close to his dream of wearing the national team jersey.