India placed in Group E for AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers

India have named a 23-player squad for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers in Malaysia. The Young Tigresses, featuring 11 returning players, will face Iraq, Syria and hosts Malaysia in Group E from October 5 to 11

Hyderabad: India Under-17 women’s national team head coach Joakim Alexandersson has announced a 23-player squad for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, to be held in Malaysia from October 5 to 11, 2026.

With 11 players from the previous edition’s squad returning, the Young Tigresses will aim to secure back-to-back AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifications for the first time.

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India have been placed in Group E and will begin their campaign against Iraq on October 5. The Young Tigresses will face Syria on October 8 before taking on hosts Malaysia on October 11. Only the group winners will qualify for the final tournament.

All matches will be played at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, with the team scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 2.

The Young Tigresses began their preparatory camp in Bengaluru in July, followed by a trip to Tashkent last month, where they played two friendlies against Uzbekistan, both of which ended in goalless draws. Returning to India, they continued their preparations in Goa and hosted two closed-door friendlies against the Philippines, recording a 2-4 defeat and a 2-0 victory.

Head coach Alexandersson said, “We have had very good preparations here in Goa, with a very good grass pitch and a good stay. The games against the Philippines gave us a good picture of how we should start our qualifiers. They were a good opponent who really tested us in how we want to play.”

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Munni, Sanatombi Devi Irengbam, Sonam Ghosh

Defenders: Abhista Basnett, Ambalika Chanu Khudongbam, Daina Devi Konthoujam, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam

Midfielders: Alva Devi Senjam, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Monika Devi Wairokpam, Pritika Barman, Redima Devi Chingkhamayum, Silky Devi Sorokhaibam, Thandamoni Baskey, Yashica Haribabu

Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Deepika Kumari, Joya, Nidhi, Nira Chanu Longjam

Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson

Assistant coaches: Anthony Andrews, Nivetha Ramadoss

Goalkeeping coach: Fysal K Bapu

India’s schedule

October 5, 2026, 13:30 IST: India vs Iraq
October 8, 2026, 13:30 IST: Syria vs India
October 11, 2026, 18:30 IST: India vs Malaysia

Venue: MP Selayang Stadium, Selayang, Malaysia