India’s women’s junior football team has been placed in their group division for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026. As per the final Draw Results, the Young Tigresses have been drawn to Group B, joining Japan, Australia and Lebanon. The Final Draw match was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, February 12.
India’s U-17 women’s team has qualified for the Asia Cup after 21 years. The Young Tigresses defeated teams like the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan to make it to the tournament and will begin their campaign first against Australia, then Japan, and end with Lebanon. The tournament is set to be held from May 1 to 17.
Four-time champions Japan directly qualified after finishing as runners-up in the 2024 edition of the tournament. Besides that, the team also has a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup title won in 2014 and finished as runners-up in the 2010 and 2016 editions.
Meanwhile, Australia had to end their campaign in the knockouts of the group stage match in 2024 and got their qualification for this year’s event after defeating teams like Singapore and Northern Mariana Islands.
Besides Japan and Australia, Lebanon is entering the tournament as a debutant after securing wins over teams like Kuwait and Iran.
The group divisions start with Group A, which includes hosts China PR alongside Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. Meanwhile, the remaining one is Group C that includes DPR Korea, Korea Republic, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.
The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is being hosted in China in the city of Suzhou, including venues like the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium and the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre.
Only the top two teams from each group and the two best teams finishing in third position will progress to the quarter-final. From there, only four semi-finalists will then move ahead and qualify for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026. Group C team DPR Korea is currently the top team in the event.
AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Final Draw Results
Group A: China PR (H), Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar
Group B: Japan, Australia, India, Lebanon
Group C: DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Philippines, Chinese Taipei
On the other hand, the Indian men’s junior football team will also be seen in action for the AFC U-17 Men’s Asian Cup. The Blue Colts have been drawn alongside Uzbekistan, Australia and DPR Korea in Group D. The Indian men’s team will make their 10th appearance in the tournament after securing the top spot over teams like Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Chinese Taipei earlier in the qualifiers.
AFC U17 Asian Cup Men’s Final Draw Results
Group A: Saudi Arabia (H), Tajikistan, Thailand, Myanmar
Group B: Japan, Indonesia, China PR, Qatar
Group C: Korea Republic, Yemen, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates
Group D: Uzbekistan, Australia, India, DPR Korea
