The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has named Naushad Moosa as the new head coach of the India U-23 men’s national football team. The appointment, announced on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, comes as the federation gears up its preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Moosa, currently associated with NorthEast United FC, will officially take charge of the U-23 team on June 1, 2025, as the squad begins its training camp in Kolkata. The move marks a significant step in AIFF’s broader developmental agenda, which aligns closely with the roadmap presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
As part of its preparation strategy, the U-23 side will play two international exposure matches in Dushanbe, Tajikistan—facing hosts Tajikistan on June 18 and the Kyrgyz Republic on June 21. These matches are seen as early testing grounds for Moosa and his young squad as they begin their journey toward the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya.
AIFF Deputy Secretary General Satyanarayan M emphasized the importance of this developmental phase. “In discussions with Manolo Márquez, we concluded that the federation needs to develop the U-23 team with more emphasis. The best of these players are all training 10 months a year, and we are thankful to the clubs for the readiness with which they are available for national team duty,” he said.
Satyanarayan also addressed the challenge of limited game-time for some U-23 players at their respective clubs. “Some of them are not getting much game-time, which is where we are looking to bridge the gap by playing exposure matches against other competitive international teams of the same age group during the international windows,” he explained. He also expressed gratitude to NorthEast United FC for releasing Moosa during the designated FIFA windows.
To ensure consistent development and match readiness, the AIFF plans to conduct short training camps—lasting 10 to 14 days—during FIFA International Windows in September, October, November, and March. These camps will feature friendly matches against other Asian U-23 teams. Additionally, a longer preparatory camp is scheduled ahead of the June 2026 window, when club competitions will pause.
With a clear strategy and a seasoned coach at the helm, India’s U-23 squad now begins a critical phase of development aimed at making a strong impact in Japan next year.
