India's U20 Women's football team secures qualification for the Asian Cup 2026, and the All India Football Federation offers a reward of $25,000
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that India's Under-20 women's team, known as the Young Tigresses, have qualified for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026, marking their first appearance in the competition in 16 years. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Thailand in April 2026.
This historic qualification comes after a series of impressive performances in the qualifiers held in 2025. The Young Tigresses topped Group D with a perfect record, remaining unbeaten and not conceding a single goal throughout the competition. Their most notable victory was a decisive 1-0 win against hosts Myanmar, where Pooja scored the winning goal in the 27th minute.
The team's preparation and strategic planning were evident in their matches, securing dominant victories, including a 7-0 win over Turkmenistan, and a disciplined draw with Indonesia. These results showcase the Young Tigresses' improved tactical and technical abilities.
The AIFF credited the team's success to "sustained planning and developmental efforts over the past few years" in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India. These efforts have included enhanced scouting and nurturing of young talent at state and national levels, investment in high-quality coaching, participation in more international friendlies and competitive matches, and strengthened domestic women's leagues.
The 2026 tournament will feature 12 teams for the first time, with India among them, illustrating the regional growth and India's rising stature in women's football. This sustained development pipeline is expected to boost India's future performances at the senior level and contribute to the wider promotion of women's football nationally.
In a separate development, the ASMITA Football Leagues continue in the 2025-26 season, with the U13 ASMITA Football Leagues 2025-26 having begun. Around 8,000 players from approximately 400 teams will compete in these leagues across 26 states. Initiatives like the ASMITA Women's Football Leagues have led to a "232% increase" in registered women footballers in the past year.
The Young Tigresses also played in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkey, defeating teams like Hong Kong and Jordan. Additionally, they played two friendlies against the senior team and Uzbekistan U20s in Tashkent, with scores of 1-1 and 4-1 respectively.
In recognition of their achievement, the AIFF has announced a cash incentive of USD 25,000 for the team. The Young Tigresses have trained together for 135 days in preparation for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers.
With the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026 just around the corner, the Young Tigresses are poised to make a significant impact on the continental stage. Their journey is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and strategic planning that has gone into the development of women's football in India.
The Young Tigresses, who recently qualified for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup 2026, will be showcasing their skills in football once more, as the team has a strong background in this sport. Their journey to qualification was marked by impressive performances and tactical abilities during the qualifiers in 2025, making it clear that they are proficient in football.
