Placed in a three-team Group G, India will face the hosts Kyrgyzstan on October 13 and Uzbekistan on October 17. Both matches will be held at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 27 teams are divided into eight groups \u2014 three of four teams each, and five of three. They will compete in the Qualifiers through a single round-robin centralised league format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The eight group winners will advance to the 10th edition of the Finals, where they will be joined by the four AFC representatives from the FIFA U17 Women\u2019s World Cup 2025 who have automatically qualified \u2014 DPR Korea, Japan, Korea Republic, and China \u2014 to form a 12-team line-up, four more than the previous edition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After winning the SAFF U17 Women's Championship in Bhutan in August, the Young Tigresses continued their training camp in Bengaluru before relocating to Goa. They will arrive in Bishkek on Tuesday, October 7, six days before the first match, to acclimatise to the relatively cooler weather in Kyrgyzstan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India last took part in the AFC U17 Women\u2019s Asian Cup in 2005. The Young Tigresses will aim to script history by qualifying for the continental stage for the first time through the qualifiers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's 23-member squad for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2026 Qualifiers:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Goalkeepers: Munni, Surajmuni Kumari, Thameena Fathima.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Defenders: Alena Devi Sarangthem, Alisha Lyngdoh, Binita Horo, Divyani Linda, Elizabed Lakra, Joyshini Chanu Huidrom, Ritu Badaik, Taniya Devi Tonambam.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Midfielders: Abhista Basnett, Anita Dungdung, Bonifilia Shullai, Julan Nongmaithem, Pritika Barman, Shveta Rani, Thandamoni Baskey.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Forwards: Anushka Kumari, Anwita Raghuraman, Nira Chanu Longjam, Pearl Fernandes, Valaina Fernandes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Assistant coach: Nivetha Ramadoss<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Strength and conditioning coach: Anugrah Suresh<\/p>\r\n\r\n