India Under-17 women return to the AFC Asian for the first time in two decades, becoming the third women’s national team to participate in an Asian Cup this year, after the senior team and the U-20 squad.
India’s journey to this stage has been built on a structured and continuous period of preparation. Since January, the Young Tigresses have been in camp for over three months, mainly in Bengaluru, where they focus on physical, technical and tactical development.
They arrive in China after a series of competitive tours that saw them win the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship in February, record two wins against Myanmar, a country that qualified for the Asian Cup in Yangon, in March, and test themselves in three friendlies against Russia in Sochi in April.
India’s group stage schedule for U-17 AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026:
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May 2 – Australia vs India – 5pm – Pitch 8, Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center
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May 5 – India vs Japan – 5:00 PM – Pitch 4, Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center
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May 8 – India vs Lebanon – 1:00 PM – Field 8, Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center
India squad for AFC U-17 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.
Forward: Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, Joya, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Fernandes.
When and where can you watch India’s matches in the AFC Women’s U-17 Asian Cup?
All of India’s matches in the AFC Women’s U-17 Asian Cup will be broadcast live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel.
Published on May 2, 2026
