India U17 women name 23-player squad for AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers

India's U17 women's national team head coach Joakim Alexandersson has named a 23-player squad for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Malaysia from October 5 to 11, 2026. The squad, nicknamed the Young Tigresses, will compete in Group E alongside Iraq, Syria, and hosts Malaysia at MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang.

The squad includes 11 returning players from the previous edition, as India seeks to secure back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifications for the first time in the team's history. India will begin their campaign against Iraq on October 5 at 13:30 IST, face Syria on October 8 at 13:30 IST, and conclude group play against Malaysia on October 11 at 18:30 IST. Only group winners advance to the final tournament in China. The team is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 2, 2026.

The 2026 qualifiers mark a record participation in the competition's history, with 29 teams divided into eight groups. Automatic qualifiers to the final tournament include China (host), North Korea, Japan, and Australia.

Prior to the qualifiers, India conducted preparatory training in Bengaluru starting in July, followed by a training trip to Tashkent in September where they played two goalless draws against Uzbekistan. The squad then completed final preparations in Goa with two closed-door friendlies against the Philippines, recording a 2-4 defeat and a 2-0 victory. Head coach Alexandersson stated: "We have had very good preparations here in Goa, with a very good grass pitch and a good stay. The games against the Philippines gave us a good picture of how we should start our qualifiers. They were a good opponent who really tested us in how we want to play."

The coaching staff includes assistant coaches Anthony Andrews and Nivetha Ramadoss, along with goalkeeper coach Fysal K Bapu. The squad composition spans three goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders, and two forwards.