India’s Under-17 women’s team has landed in Suzhou, China, ready to compete in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after a long preparation phase that has raised hopes of a strong showing.

The squad reached Suzhou on Monday morning following a short training camp in Gurugram, and wasted no time in getting down to business, with their first training session scheduled for the same evening.

This marks a significant moment for the Young Tigresses, who have qualified for the continental tournament after a gap of 21 years. Placed in Group B, India will begin their campaign against Australia on May 2, followed by challenging fixtures against Japan and Lebanon.

The competition format offers a pathway to the knockout stage for the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed sides across all groups. Beyond continental success, there is an even bigger incentive — the four semifinalists will earn qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026.

Preparation has been extensive under head coach Pamela Conti, who took charge in January. The team has undergone over three months of continuous training, primarily in Bengaluru, focusing on fitness, tactics, and team cohesion.

The results during this period have been encouraging. India clinched the SAFF U19 Women’s Championship title in February and followed it up with two wins in friendly matches against Myanmar in March.

Earlier this month, the team traveled to Sochi for a series of three friendlies against Russia. Although they lost all three matches, the exposure to high-quality opposition is expected to benefit the squad as they step onto the Asian stage.

Following their return, the team regrouped in Gurugram from April 20 to 26 for final preparations before departing for China.

The 23-member squad features a balanced mix across all departments, with players like forwards Anushka Kumari, Pearl Fernandes, and Valaina Fernandes expected to lead the attack, while midfielders such as Pritika Barman and Olivia Chanu Ningthoujam will play key roles in controlling the game.

India’s group-stage matches will all be held at the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre, with kickoff times set for late afternoon, offering consistent conditions for the team.

With momentum from recent successes and valuable international exposure, the Young Tigresses now turn their focus to delivering on the big stage and keeping their World Cup dream alive.