Following a preparatory camp in Gurugram, the Young Tigresses will begin their campaign in Group B against strong opposition, taking on Australia, Japan, and Lebanon. All of India’s fixtures will be played at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre pitches.

Under head coach Pamela Conti, the team has undergone an extensive preparation phase spanning over three months, primarily based in Bengaluru. The squad also gained valuable match exposure through international friendlies, including outings against Myanmar and Russia, alongside winning the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship earlier this year.

The competition format sees the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, advancing to the quarter-finals. The stakes are even higher as the four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026.

India held their first training session in Suzhou on arrival day, aiming to fine-tune preparations ahead of their opening fixture.

India’s Fixtures – AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026

• May 2, 17:00 IST: Australia vs India (Pitch 8)
• May 5, 17:00 IST: India vs Japan (Pitch 4)
• May 8, 13:00 IST: India vs Lebanon (Pitch 8)

India’s 23-Member Squad

Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Tamphasana Devi Konjengbam

Defenders: Abhista Basnett, Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam

Midfielders: Alva Devi Senjam, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Olivia Chanu Ningthoujam, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Thandamoni Baskey

Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, Joya, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Fernandes

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Pamela Conti
Assistant Coaches: Vincenzo Conti, Nivetha Ramadoss
Goalkeeping Coach: Mario Aguiar
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Amit Yadav

With a blend of structured preparation and international exposure, India U17 Women head into the tournament with confidence and ambition, aiming to make a strong impression on their return to the continental stage.

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Iran struck first in the 19th minute, putting India under early pressure. But instead of folding, the Blue Colts grew stronger. Just before half-time, captain Dallalmuon Gangte kept his cool and converted a penalty in the 45+1 minute, restoring confidence and shifting the momentum India’s way.

The second half began with India pushing forward with purpose. Their moment came in the 52nd minute, when Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam capitalised on a defensive mistake and fired home the winner. From that point on, India defended bravely, blocking shots, tracking runs and fighting for every ball.

The final whistle confirmed a famous victory — and India’s qualification. The team topped the group on head-to-head, ending with seven points, the same as Iran but ahead thanks to the win.

This performance was more than just a result. It was a statement of how far Indian youth football has come. The team showed maturity, tactical awareness and mental toughness beyond their age.

Their qualification for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup now marks India’s 10th appearance at the tournament, and the confidence from this win will carry into their campaign next year.

With talent, teamwork and fearless football, the Blue Colts proved that they can compete — and win — against Asia’s strongest sides.

India didn’t just qualify.
They announced themselves.

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COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: In a final brimming with drama and tension, the India U17 men’s national team held their nerve to defeat Bangladesh 4-1 on penalties and lift their seventh SAFF U17 Championship title at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

In a contest where India led 2-1 at half-time with goals from Dallamuon Gangte (4’) and Azlaan Shah KH (38’), Bangladesh clawed back with a last-gasp equaliser from Ihsan Habib Riduan to level things up at 2-2 and force a shootout. But it were the Blue Colts who held their composure when it mattered most.

The penalty shootout saw India showing maturity beyond their age. Dallalmuon Gangte, Korou Meitei Konthoujam, and Indra Rana Magar converted with aplomb before Shubham Poonia slotted home the decisive fourth kick. Bangladesh, by contrast, crumbled under pressure. Md Ikramul Islam struck the crossbar, Md Azam Khan saw his effort saved by Manashjyoti Baruah, and although Md Manik converted their third attempt, it was too late. India erupted in celebration, reclaiming their throne in emphatic fashion.

India began the match with vigour and aggression, fully aware that Bangladesh had not conceded a single goal throughout the tournament. The breakthrough came as early as the 4th minute, when Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam whipped in a cross from the left. After a Bangladeshi defender attempted to clear, the ball rebounded kindly, and Gangte made no mistake with the second attempt to give India the perfect start.

While India continued to dominate possession, their inability to convert more chances into goals kept Bangladesh in the hunt. Slowly but surely, Bangladesh grew into the game and found their equaliser in the 24th minute. After a long-range attempt from Nazmul Huda Faysal forced a diving save from Baruah, Bangladesh capitalised from the resulting corner. Faysal floated the ball in, and it eventually fell to Manik, who nodded it home from close range.

The goal injected life into Bangladesh’s play. They came agonisingly close again in the 29th minute when Md Opu Rahman’s header struck the woodwork. India’s defence suddenly found themselves tested, but Baruah remained composed, pulling off multiple saves to deny the Bangladeshi forwards.

India, however, showed their resolve by regaining the lead in the 38th minute, thanks to a defensive lapse from Bangladesh. Once again, Gunleiba wreaked havoc down the left and delivered a dangerous cross. The Bangladesh goalkeeper failed to gather cleanly, allowing Azlaan Shah Kh to pounce on the rebound. Md Ikramul Islam had the chance to block the shot on the goal line, but Azlaan’s powerful left-footer sneaked past to put India 2-1 ahead before half-time.

The second half saw India adopt a more pragmatic approach, content with protecting their slender lead. Bangladesh pressed forward, looking for an equaliser, and Islam nearly made amends in the 49th minute with a glancing header from a corner, but Baruah again was alert.

A fierce strike from Faysal in the 50th minute hit the crossbar, underlining how close the match was. India, too, had chances to finish the game. In the 88th minute, Lesvin Rebelo’s header from a corner rattled the bar, while Gangte also forced a good save from distance.

However, just when India seemed destined to win in regulation time, Bangladesh delivered a sting in the tail. In the seventh minute of added time, Md Sabbir Islam launched a desperate long throw into the Indian box. Amid chaos and indecision, Ihsan Habib Riduan capitalised on a loose ball to smash it in and send the final into a penalty shootout.

Yet, the night ultimately belonged to Bibiano Fernandes’ brave young side, who held their nerve under the floodlights to emerge victorious. It was the fifth SAFF title for Fernandes, and the second in less than five months, adding to the SAFF U19 crown won in Arunachal Pradesh in May.

India U17: Manashjyoti Baruah (GK), Indra Rana Magar, Shubham Poonia, Thanggoumang Touthang (Diamond Singh Thokchom 75′), Rahan Ahmed (Lesvin Rebelo 65′), Dallalmuon Gangte, Lawmsangzuala, Azlaan Shah Kh (Aazim Parveez Najar 75′), Md Aimaan Bin (Korou Meitei Konthoujam 90+1′), Wangkheirakpam Gunleiba (Kamgouhou Doungel 90+1′), Denny Singh Wangkhem (C).

Credits: AIFF Media

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India’s under-17 team, which until last year looked set to storm the world cup and Indian fans with their performances, now seem to have lost their track. After some disappointing results since last year, which includes AFC U-16, BRICS Cup and Granatkin Cup, the Indian Colts German Coach Nicolai Adams was sacked amid reports of player revolts. In the last 18 games, the Under 17 team has managed to win just one and draw two games, losing all others, and now after the recent loss to Minerva colts, the concerns about whether this is the best U-16 team has just caught fire.

Amid these concerns, All India Football Federation Scouting Director Abhishek Yadav, also the COO of the U-17 National Team has said that the process of recruiting players for U-17 World Cup is presently “still on” under U-17 Coach Luis Norton de Matos. “The Coach wants to give opportunity to all the boys who are on trials as we intend to field the strongest Indian Team in the World Cup,” he stated.

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“Prior to leaving for Portugal for the exposure Tour, we are in the process of playing some practice matches in Goa and Norton wants to see as many players possible in those matches,” Yadav continued, “The idea is to see how the new boys (who are on trials) react to match situations and that’s the best manner in which you can judge a player.”

Agree with Abhishek Yadav was the new Coach Matos, who stated “The doors for the India U-17 World Cup stay open till the final day of the registration and I appreciate the efforts of the All India Football Federation in leaving no stone unturned to field the best Indian XI in the World Cup. The efforts are allowing me to see more players and it’s nice to see the Clubs, the League and the AIFF joining hands together for the development of Indian Football,” he added.

While the U-17 player’s road takes a new turn towards the World Cup, a sense of uncertainty seems to be in the air. With another round of exposure trip lurking around, one can just hope that the new coach gets back that winning mentality in the camp before they take on the world.

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According to AIFF media team, the board is surprised and completely denies the report of sacking FIFA U-17 World Cup Team head coach Nicolai Adam.

The reports surfaced after an unsuccessful run of events in the last couple of months by the Under-17 team where Winning games was hard to find. Having finished last in the 16 nation recently concluded XXIX Valentin Granatkin Memorial Cup competition in Russia, and after the 8-0 drubbing against the host in the same event, the call for introspection of the team was evident.

Also Read: Four ISL Indian players without a club in I league

There were reports that Under 17 players were unhappy with the coach, detesting Nicolai’s coaching, the players refused to function under his reign while also been slammed with alleged charges of physical abuse towards the assistant coach, which prompted the Board to sack Nicolai from the Position. However denying all such reports, AIFF has clearly stated their backing to Nicolai Adams.

According to AIFF reports, “AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel interacted on Tuesday with the coach and the boys discussing the performance of the team as well as the way forward towards preparing a more competitive team for the U-17 World Cup.

The AIFF as the governing body is focussed on the development of the game and unearthing new talents in the Country. It is AIFF’s utmost priority to ensure a proper roadmap for Indian Football and the welfare of the boys.”

Also Read: AFC Asian Cup 2019: India finds itself in a favourable draw

The Team would resume their practice on February 1, 2017 in Goa.

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