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India U17 Women’s Team Arrives in Suzhou for AFC Asian Cup After 21-Year Gap

The India U17 women's national team has arrived in Suzhou for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026, marking their first qualification in 21 years. The team, coached by Italian head coach Pamela Conti, will face Australia, Japan, and Lebanon in Group B. India has prepared with a three-month camp, winning the SAFF U19 Women's Championship and playing friendlies against Myanmar and Russia. The tournament offers a pathway to the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 for the top four quarter-final winners.

Key Points: India U17 Women’s Team in Suzhou for AFC Asian Cup

  • 23-member India squad reaches Suzhou for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup
  • First tournament qualification in 21 years
  • Group B matches against Australia, Japan, Lebanon
  • Top two teams and best third-placed teams advance to quarter-finals
  • Quarter-final winners qualify for FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026
2 min read

23-member India squad arrives in Suzhou for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

India U17 women’s football team arrives in Suzhou for AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, facing Australia, Japan, Lebanon in Group B after 21-year qualification gap.

"The Young Tigresses arrived in Suzhou early morning on Monday, April 27, and will hold their first training session in the evening. - AFC Release"

Suzhou, April 27

The India U17 women's national team, after a brief camp in Gurugram, India, reached Suzhou on Monday ahead of their AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026.

India, which qualified for the tournament after 21 years, will begin their campaign with a match against Australia (May 2, 17:00 IST on Pitch 8), followed by Japan (May 5, 17:00 IST on Pitch 4) and Lebanon (May 8, 13:00 IST on Pitch 8) in Group B, according to a release.

All of India's matches will take place at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre pitches.

The top two teams in the group and the two best third-placed teams among all three groups will make it to the quarter-finals.

Further, the four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026. The AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel.

The Young Tigresses arrived in Suzhou early morning on Monday, April 27, and will hold their first training session in the evening.

Under Italian head coach Pamela Conti, who was appointed in January, India has had a continuous training camp of more than three months, the bulk of which was held in Bengaluru. Being a U17 side, they won the SAFF U19 Women's Championship title in February, and in March, won two friendly games against Myanmar in Yangon.

Earlier this month, they played three friendly matches against Russia in Sochi, and while they lost all three, it provided valuable experience of playing strong opponents ahead of the Asian challenge.

After returning from Russia, the Young Tigresses continued their training camp in Gurugram from April 20 to 26 before departing for China.

India's 23-member squad for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026:

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.

Head coach: Pamela ContiAssistant coaches: Vincenzo Conti and Nivetha RamadossGoalkeeping coach: Mario AguiarStrength and conditioning coach: Amit Yadav

India's schedule at the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026:

17:00 IST, May 2: Australia vs India (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8)17:00 IST, May 5: India vs Japan (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 4)13:00 IST, May 8: India vs Lebanon (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Excellent to see a 23-member squad with so many diverse names from across India. The northeast representation is particularly strong! I hope these girls get good exposure and support from the federation. Also, streaming on AFC YouTube channel is a great move for fans back home.
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James A
As someone who follows Asian football, this is fantastic for India. The group is tough with Australia and Japan, but Lebanon is a winnable match. The format giving third-placed teams a chance could work in India's favour. Good luck to the Young Tigresses! 🇮🇳⚽
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Nisha Z
A welcome step for women's football in India. I like that the head coach is Italian and we have a proper support staff. However, wouldn't it be better if these camps were held in more cities across India rather than just Bengaluru and Gurugram? Need to spread the development.
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Michael C
Great to see Indian women's football getting this stage. The SAFF U19 title and wins against Myanmar show progress. Tougher competition against Australia and Japan will be a big test, but that's how you grow. Hoping for at least one win against Lebanon to build momentum. 🤞
R
Raghav A
Brilliant move by AFC to stream on YouTube. This gives exposure to our young players and lets families back home cheer for them. The squad has a good mix of experience from the SAFF tournament. Just wish the AIFF would invest more in grassroots scouting across smaller towns!

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