The India U-17 Men’s National Football Team enters a decisive chapter as the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers kick off in Ahmedabad from 22–30 November 2025.
The EKA Arena by TransStadia, packed with home fans and electric energy, is set to become the site where India’s next generation attempts to reclaim its continental standing. After missing out on the 2025 finals, this campaign represents redemption. The Blue Colts guided by head coach Bibiano Fernandes carry renewed hunger, sharper preparation, and the expectation of a nation dreaming of another breakthrough on the Asian stage.
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India has a proud youth football lineage, having reached AFC U-17 quarterfinals in 2002 and 2018. Missing the 2025 edition remains a painful memory, but also a powerful motivator. Fernandes, known for his aggressive, modern style, has shaped this squad through intensive camps, competitive friendlies, and a successful SAFF U-17 Championship 2025 run that restored confidence.
These qualifiers matter because only the group winner qualifies for Saudi Arabia 2026. With no safety nets, India must be near-perfect.
Choosing Ahmedabad as a centralized venue gives India a crucial home advantage. The team has been stationed there since November 1, ensuring complete familiarity with the climate and pitch.
- EKA Arena’s quality surface allows India’s quick, technical style to flourish.
- Evening kick-offs aid high-intensity football and maximize fan turnout.
The venue offers an atmosphere capable of lifting the team in tight moments especially in a group where every match counts.
Group D: A Balanced but Demanding Challenge
India faces Palestine, Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, and Iran, forming one of the more unpredictable groups of the qualifiers.
Palestine on Nov 22: A disciplined, high-energy opponent that thrives on counter-attacks. India must start strongly to seize early control of the group.
Chinese Taipei on Nov 24: A technically neat unit that can trouble opponents through midfield structure. India will need intensity and sharp transitions to dominate.
Lebanon on Nov 28: A physical and tactically rigid team often capable of forcing low-scoring battles. India must manage their energy smartly this match sits just two days before the group finale.
Iran on Nov 30 : The favourites and likely the decisive hurdle. Iran’s past pedigree and disciplined approach make them India’s toughest opponent, and history offers a stern reminder India has never beaten them in competitive U-17 matches.
India’s Build-Up: A Team Finding Rhythm
India arrives with encouraging form. The SAFF U-17 Championship title provided competitive sharpness and belief. Two friendlies in China in October helped the team test combinations and adapt to high-tempo play.
The squad blends pace, creativity, and work-rate qualities essential in a tight, four-match window. Players Who Could Define India’s Campaign
A few standouts have emerged as core pillars of Fernandes’s system:
- Rahan Ahmed (Forward): Direct, quick, and in form after scoring twice at the SAFF tournament.
- Dallalmoun Gangte (Midfielder): India’s creative engine and the top scorer in SAFF 2025, capable of unlocking defences.
- Manashjyoti Baruah (Goalkeeper): Reliable under pressure, with strong reflexes and composure.
Supporting them is a balanced group of wingers, midfielders, and defenders, each adding depth to a compact schedule.
India’s Tactical Identity
Under Fernandes, India’s philosophy remains clear, High press to disrupt early and force mistakes, Quick wing transitions to exploit space & Compact defensive shape to limit counters.
With four matches in nine days, squad rotation will be essential to maintain intensity.
India’s strengths include the home crowd, a fast and mobile attack, and an increasingly mature defensive unit. However, the group’s difficulty lies in overcoming Iran’s pedigree, battling Lebanon’s physical structure, and managing fatigue in a tightly packed schedule.
Where to Watch
All India matches will kick off at 7:30 PM IST, live on FIFA+.
Ahmedabad’s November nights are set to host a football festival. For India’s U-17s, this is more than a qualification campaign it’s a statement of ambition. The path is narrow and unforgiving, but the opportunity is massive. If India combines home support with clarity, discipline, and courage, a place in Saudi Arabia 2026 is within reach.
The Blue Colts are ready.
Now it’s time for the stands to roar.
