Who Will India Face in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers?
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Synopsis
Excitement mounts as the <b>India U20 women's team</b> prepares to face formidable opponents <b>Myanmar</b>, <b>Indonesia</b>, and <b>Turkmenistan</b> in the <b>AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers</b>. With the tournament's stakes high, this draw has set the stage for thrilling matches that could define the future of women's football in India.
Key Takeaways
- India U20 women's team drawn in Group D.
- Group D rivals include Myanmar, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan.
- Qualifiers hosted by Myanmar from August 6 to August 10.
- Top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2026.
- Tournament expands to 12 teams from 2026 onwards.
New Delhi, April 28 (NationPress) The India U20 women's team has been placed in Group D alongside Myanmar, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026 Qualifiers. This decision was made during the draw held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday.
Group A will feature the defending champions DPR Korea, Nepal, hosts Bhutan, Mongolia, and Saudi Arabia vying for qualification. Meanwhile, Group B includes the hosts Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore.
Group C will see Australia, Chinese Taipei, Palestine, and hosts Tajikistan compete against each other. Myanmar will host Group D from August 6 to August 10, utilizing a centralized single round-robin format.
Group E will have a clash between the hosts and past champions China PR, Lebanon, Cambodia, and Syria, while Group F includes six-time champions Japan, IR Iran, hosts Malaysia, and Guam.
Group G will see action from hosts Uzbekistan, Jordan, Northern Mariana Islands, and Bahrain. The battle for the sole automatic qualification from Group H will involve former champions Korea Republic, Bangladesh, hosts Laos, and Timor-Leste.
A total of 33 teams have been allocated into eight groups (Group A with five teams and the remaining seven with four teams each). The winners of each group, along with the three best runners-up and the hosts Thailand, will finalize the 12 teams for the 12th edition of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, set to take place from April 1 to 18, 2026.
Several teams, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, and Turkmenistan, are looking to make their first appearance in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup.
The top four teams from the final tournament will secure spots in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2026.
The AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, previously an eight-team tournament until 2024, will expand to 12 teams starting from the 2026 edition.
The draw's seeding was based on a points system from the teams' final rankings in the last three editions. India was placed in Pot 2.
AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026 Qualifiers draw result:
Group A: DPR Korea, Nepal, Bhutan (H), Mongolia, Saudi Arabia
Group B: Vietnam (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Hong Kong, China, Singapore
Group C: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Palestine, Tajikistan (H)
Group D: Myanmar (H), India, Indonesia, Turkmenistan
Group E: China PR (H), Lebanon, Cambodia, Syria
Group F: Japan, IR Iran, Malaysia (H), Guam
Group G: Uzbekistan (H), Jordan, Northern Mariana Islands, Bahrain
Group H: Korea Republic, Bangladesh, Laos (H), Timor Leste
Point of View
It's clear that the India U20 women's team faces a significant challenge ahead in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. This opportunity is crucial not only for the players' development but also for the growth of women's football in India. We stand firmly behind our athletes as they aim to make their mark on the international stage.
NationPress
31/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams are in India's group for the qualifiers?
India is placed in Group D alongside Myanmar, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan.
When will the qualifiers take place?
The qualifiers will be held from August 6 to August 10, 2026.
How many teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup?
The top four teams from the final tournament will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2026.
Where is the qualifiers being held?
Myanmar will host Group D of the qualifiers.
How has the tournament format changed?
The AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup has expanded from eight teams to twelve teams starting from the 2026 edition.
