Will India U-17 Men's Football Team Face Myanmar in Friendly Matches?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) The India U-17 men's football team, currently gearing up for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, is set to engage in two friendly matches against Myanmar in Yangon on March 3 and 5, 2026.
The Blue Colts have already participated in four international friendly matches this year, playing two matches each against Tajikistan in Goa and Türkiye in Antalya.
Following their return from Türkiye, Bibiano Fernandes' squad has resumed training in Goa. The India U-17 team is scheduled to depart for the Myanmar capital on February 28, as stated in a release by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Similar to India, Myanmar has also qualified for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, having topped Group C of the qualifiers, finishing ahead of Oman, Syria, Afghanistan, and Nepal.
India will face Australia on May 6, Uzbekistan on May 10, and DPR Korea on May 13 in Group D of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, where 16 elite teams from the continent will compete.
The Indian squad has successfully qualified for the 21st edition of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup (including previous editions of the AFC U-17 Championship, which is the annual international youth football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for men's under-17 national teams in Asia).
Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Myanmar are in Group A, while Japan, Indonesia, China, and Qatar make up Group B. Matches will be hosted across four venues in and around Jeddah.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals and will also earn a spot in the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup. If Qatar (who automatically qualified as hosts) reaches the quarterfinals in the U-17 Asian Cup, the best third-placed team will also qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.