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India U17 Women’s Team Arrives in China for Historic AFC Asian Cup Campaign

The India U17 women's national team has arrived in Suzhou, China, for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup after qualifying for the first time in 21 years. The Young Tigresses will begin their campaign against Australia on May 2, followed by matches against Japan and Lebanon in Group A. The top two teams from each group and the best third-placed teams advance to the quarter-finals, with winners qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. Head coach Pamela Conti has led the team through extensive training camps and friendlies to prepare for the tournament.

Key Points: India U17 Women’s Team Reaches Suzhou for AFC Asian Cup 2026

  • India qualifies for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup after 21 years
  • Team reaches Suzhou after camp in Gurugram
  • Group stage matches against Australia, Japan, and Lebanon
  • Top teams advance to FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026
2 min read

Indian U17 team reaches Suzhou for AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup

India U17 women’s team lands in Suzhou for AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup after 21 years. Faces Australia, Japan, Lebanon in group stage. Live on AFC YouTube.

"The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. - AIFF"

New Delhi, April 27

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

India, qualifying for the tournament after 21 years, will start their campaign against Australia on May 2 at 5:00 PM IST on Pitch 8, then face Japan on May 5 at 5:00 PM IST on Pitch 4, and Lebanon on May 8 at 1:00 PM IST on Pitch 8, with all matches held at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre pitches.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams across all groups, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will then qualify for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026. The AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 will be broadcast live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel.

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

Under Italian head coach Pamela Conti, appointed in January, India has been conducting a continuous training camp for over three months, mostly in Bengaluru. As a U17 team, they won the SAFF U19 Women's Championship in February and secured two friendly victories against Myanmar in Yangon in March. Earlier this month, they played three friendly matches against Russia in Sochi; although they lost all three, these games provided valuable experience against strong opponents ahead of the Asian competition.

Following their return from Russia, the Young Tigresses extended their training camp in Gurugram from April 20 to 26 before heading to 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 Conti

Assistant coaches: Vincenzo Conti and Nivetha Ramadoss

Goalkeeping coach: Mario Aguiar

Strength and conditioning coach: Amit Yadav

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

May 2: Australia vs India (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8)

May 5: India vs Japan (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 4)

May 8: India vs Lebanon (Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre Pitch 8)

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Lovely to see so many girls from the Northeast in the squad. Alena, Alisha, Joyshini... they really bring a unique flair. And an Italian coach? That's an interesting choice. Hope Pamela Conti can bring that European discipline to our game. 🇮🇳⚽
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Michael C
Good to see India competing on the continental stage again. The matches against Russia, even though losses, are exactly the kind of exposure these young players need. The SAFF U19 win shows they can handle pressure. Let's see how they fare against the big guns.
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Arjun K
Honestly, qualifying after 21 years is a huge deal in itself. But I hope AIFF has a long-term plan, not just a one-time event. Need to invest more in grassroots and women's football. Still, all the best to the girls! Make us proud. 🙌
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Sneha F
Lebanon we can probably beat, but Australia and Japan will be a different level. Still, the friendly against Russia was a good test. Glad to see the team didn't just sit in camp but actually played competitive matches abroad. That's real growth. All the best!
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James A
As an Indian football fan, this is exciting. But I wish the media would give more coverage to women's football. This is a major milestone - qualifying for an Asian Cup after two decades - and it barely makes headlines. Hope these girls get the recognition they deserve.

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