India U-17 national football team preparations

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has initiated preparations for upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2027 qualifying tournaments for both men and women.

For the men’s national team, Mehrajuddin Wadoo has been appointed head coach. The squad, known as the Blue Colts, began a preparatory camp in Margao, Goa, to prepare for the qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they are positioned in Group E alongside Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam.

Simultaneously, the U-17 women’s national team, led by head coach Joakim Alexandersson, has announced a 23-player squad for their respective qualifiers in Malaysia. The women’s team is set to compete in Group E against Iraq, Syria, and Malaysia, with only the group winner advancing to the final tournament.

As the qualifiers approach, scheduled for October 5 to 11, India’s women’s squad—which includes returning players from the previous edition—has completed training camps in Bengaluru and Goa, as well as a trip to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Their group stage matches are scheduled against Iraq on October 5, Syria on October 8, and hosts Malaysia on October 11.