New Delhi, May 1: The head coach of India’s U-17 men’s national team, Bibiano Fernandes, announced a 23-member squad on Friday for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026, set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The ‘Blue Colts’ are currently in Doha, Qatar, where they played two friendly matches against the host nation. The team will depart for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 3.
India has been placed in ‘Group D’ alongside Australia and Uzbekistan. The Indian team will face Australia on May 6 and Uzbekistan on May 10. The fourth team, the Republic of Korea, has withdrawn from the tournament, leaving a three-team group.
The top two teams from this group will advance to the quarter-finals, securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
In preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, the Indian U-17 men’s team has played several friendly matches. Recently, they faced the United Arab Emirates in two friendlies on April 17 and 21 in Samut Prakan, Thailand. India won the first match 1-0 but suffered a 1-5 defeat in the second.
Earlier in March, Fernandes’ squad played three friendly matches in Lopburi, Thailand, drawing 2-2 against Thailand, winning 3-0 against Indonesia, and losing 1-2 to the Republic of Korea. Following these matches, the ‘Blue Colts’ continued their training camp in Kolkata.
The Indian squad for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 includes:
Goalkeepers: Alok Nishad, Manashjyoti Baruah, Rajroop Sarkar.
Defenders: Abhishek Kumar Mandal, Indra Rana Magar, Koru Meitei Konthoujam, Lomsangjuala, Lesvin Rebello, MD Aiman Bin, Shubham Poonia.
Midfielders: Dallalamuan Gangte, Denny Singh Wangkhem, Diamond Singh Thokchom, Musa Ashik Sofi, Nitishkumar Maitei Yengkhom.
Forwards: Adil Aman A, Azlan Shah, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hiranngamba Seram, Rahan Ahmed, Raj Singh Wahengbam, Washington Singh Ngango, Yuvraj Kadam.
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