India to take on Japan in tough AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign opener

The India Under-20 women’s national team will kick off the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign against Japan on Wednesday as the Young Tigresses end their two-decade wait to play in the tournament.

After qualifying for the tournament for the first time in two decades, India approaches the Asian Cup as a team that wants to compete.

Placed in a competitive Group C alongside Japan, Australia (April 5) and Chinese Taipei (April 8), India’s path to the knockout stages is challenging.

The top two teams, along with the best two third-placed sides from three groups, will progress to the quarter-finals, where the last four will face a place in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026.

READ ALSO | Indian squad for AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026

India head coach Joakim Alexandersson emphasized both realism and ambition ahead of the opener.

«We are very aware that we are new to this scene at the moment with the Indian team. We know that we are facing tough opponents and we respect them,» the Swede said.

«But we also have the mentality that we want to get through this group and qualify for the World Cup. That would be fantastic for the whole country,» he added.

In the run-up to Asia

India’s preparation for the tournament was extensive and methodical. From friendlies in Kazakhstan to a month-long training camp in Sweden, the focus was on developing a squad capable of meeting the demands of elite competition.

“We have been together for three months straight,” Alexandersson said. «Before that we had friendly matches in Kazakhstan. We went to Sweden for a month and we also invited Uzbekistan to India.

READ ALSO | ‘Would have asked for tougher opponents, but satisfied with the preparation’: India coach

«So the preparation has been good. I think we are ready for this tournament in a good way. Since the qualifiers in Myanmar we have had very focused work. We have evolved significantly – technically, tactically and also mentally as a group. We are confident that our preparation has put us in the best possible place,» Alexandersson explained.

Asian heavyweight in the way

Standing in the way of India in the opening match is one of the most formidable sides in the world.

Japan, record six-time champions of the U-20 Asian Cup, come in as one of the favourites, with a long-standing reputation for technical excellence and consistency at youth level. Young Nadeshiko also became world champion in 2018.

Head coach Akira Ijiri made his team’s ambitions clear. «Our goal is clear. We want to break the group stage and win the World Cup. We will do our best to achieve this goal.»

Published on April 1, 2026