India’s Under-20 Women’s Team Qualifies for AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a cash reward of USD 25,000 for the Under-20 women’s football team following their successful qualification for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, marking their first entry into the tournament since 2006.
Qualification Journey
The Indian U-20 women’s team impressively topped Group D with a total of seven points. Their campaign concluded on a high note with a 1-0 victory over the host team, Myanmar, in Yangon. Pooja scored the sole goal of the match in the 27th minute, capping off an outstanding performance that included a 0-0 draw against Indonesia and a resounding 7-0 win over Turkmenistan. The team not only remained unbeaten but also did not concede a single goal during the qualifier matches.
Upcoming Tournament
The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup is set to take place in Thailand in April 2026, providing an exciting opportunity for the young athletes to showcase their talent on an international stage.
AIFF’s Commitment to Development
The AIFF attributed this achievement to “sustained planning and developmental efforts over the past few years,” in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India. Since December 2024, the U-20 women’s team has been in rigorous training, which included participation in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkey, where they secured victories against teams from Hong Kong and Jordan.
Preparation and Training
In preparation for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, several players trained with the senior team and engaged in friendly matches against Uzbekistan’s U-20 team, ending with a series of results of 1-1 and 4-1. Overall, the team dedicated 135 days to training in a focused preparation camp.
Grassroots Initiatives
The AIFF has also highlighted initiatives aimed at nurturing women’s football at the grassroots level. Notably, the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues have seen a remarkable “232% increase” in registered female footballers over the past year. These leagues are set to continue into the 2025-26 season, with the inaugural U13 ASMITA Football Leagues already underway, featuring around 8,000 players from approximately 400 teams competing across 50 tournaments in 26 states.
