India U17 women's camp begins in Bengaluru ahead of AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
Bengaluru, July 17
The Indian U17 women's team has started its preparations for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers as their training camp commenced on Thursday, with the first batch of 24 players reporting for camp-cum-trials at The Sports School.
The camp marks the beginning of preparations for the Qualifiers, which will be held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11, 2026. India has been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Syria, and Iraq. Players born on or after January 1, 2010, are eligible for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027.
Head coach Joakim Alexandersson has taken charge of the U17 women's team for the new qualification cycle. Pamela Conti, who coached the team in the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2026, departed at the end of her contract in May.
Alexandersson guided the previous batch to qualification for the 2026 tournament and also led the U20 side in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026.
Less than three months ago, the U17 team created history by reaching the Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The current camp represents the first step in building on that historic achievement, intending to qualify for back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cups for the first time.
While 24 players have initially reported to the camp, the selection process remains ongoing. Additional players are expected to join following further scouting across the country.
Earlier this month, Alexandersson attended the Khelo India Performance Assessment Camp in New Delhi, where he assessed a number of young players. The Swede also visited the FIFA-AIFF Telangana Talent Academy in Hyderabad as part of the player identification process.
The scouting process will continue during the inaugural AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27, which kicks off in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on July 18. Later this month, Alexandersson will travel to the competition to monitor performances and identify additional players for the national team camp.
Further evaluations will take place over the coming weeks before the Young Tigresses' preliminary squad for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers is finalised and announced.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So happy to see investment in women's football at the grassroots! Khelo India camps and the AIFF Youth League will really help identify talent. Let's hope we qualify for back-to-back Asian Cups for the first time 💪
Impressed by the systematic approach—the coach attending the Khelo India camp and visiting the FIFA-AIFF academy shows real commitment. Group E with Malaysia, Syria, and Iraq is tough but winnable. Best of luck to the Young Tigresses!
Good to see continuity with Alexandersson staying on as coach—he knows these players from the previous cycle. But we need more investment in women's football infrastructure across states, not just in Bengaluru or Delhi. Let's hope the Youth League delivers!
The historic quarterfinal run was incredible! Now the real challenge is to build consistency. The camp starting in Bengaluru with 24 players and a coach who understands Indian football is a solid step. Rooting for you girls from across the globe 🌍
The AIFF U17 Women's Youth League starting in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh is a brilliant move—tribal areas have immense talent that often goes unnoticed. Hope this pipeline helps us produce world-class players. Proud moment for Indian football 🇮🇳
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