Bangkok, March 20 – The Indian U20 women’s team, consisting of 24 players, arrived in Thailand on Friday to acclimatize to the local conditions before their first Group C match next month.
The Indian women, who qualified for the Asian Cup after 20 years, will have 13 days to adjust to the conditions in Bangkok before their first Group C match against Japan on April 2. They will then play against Australia on April 5 and Chinese Taipei on April 8.
The top two teams in the group and the two best third-placed teams from all three groups will qualify for the quarter-finals. Furthermore, the four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland in 2026.
Under the guidance of Swedish head coach Joakim Alexandersson, the Indian team had begun their current training camp in Bengaluru in January after the completion of the first phase of the IWL (Indian Women’s League).
Later, they had a one-month camp in Sweden, where they played five friendly matches against the senior teams of Swedish club sides.
After their return from Scandinavia, the young Tigresses continued training in Kolkata, from where they departed for the Thailand capital in the early hours of Friday.
Alexandersson will announce the final 23-member squad closer to the tournament.
India's 24-member travelling squad to the 2026 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup in Thailand:
Goalkeepers: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem, Nandini, Ribansi Jamu.
Defenders: Alka Indwar, Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Nishima Kumari, Remi Thokchom, Ruchi Yadav, Sahena TH, Shubhangi Singh, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam.
Midfielders: Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam, Arina Devi Nameirakpam, Bhumika Devi Khumukcham, Monisha Singha, Neha, Pooja, Shruti Kumari.
Forwards: Babita Kumari, Deepika Pal, Lhingdeikim, Shilji Shaji, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Sulanjana Raul.
Head coach: Joakim Alexandersson
Assistant coach: Paromita Sit
Goalkeeping coach: Hameed KK