India U17 Women Arrive in China for AFC U17 Asian Cup After 21-Year Waitnewsline24

The India U17 women’s national team, following a short preparatory camp in Gurugram, arrived in Suzhou on Monday, April 27, ahead of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026.

India, who qualified for the tournament after a gap of 21 years, will open their campaign against Australia on May 2 (17:00 IST on Pitch 8). They will then face Japan on May 5 (17:00 IST on Pitch 4) and Lebanon on May 8 (13:00 IST on Pitch 8) in Group B. All of India’s group-stage matches will be played at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre pitches.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams across the three groups, will advance to the quarter-finals. Additionally, 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 reached Suzhou early on Monday morning and are scheduled to hold their first training session later in the evening.

Under Italian head coach Pamela Conti, who took charge in January, India have undergone a continuous training camp lasting over three months, with the majority of sessions held in Bengaluru. Despite being an U17 side, they lifted the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship title in February. In March, they secured two friendly wins against Myanmar in Yangon.

Earlier this month, the team played three friendly matches against Russia in Sochi. Although they lost all three games, the fixtures provided valuable exposure against strong opposition ahead of the continental tournament.

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

India U17 23-member squad for 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 U17 match schedule – AFC Women’s Asian Cup China 2026

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

Live streaming: AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel