India U17 women's football camp kicks off in Bengaluru for AFC 2027 Qualifiers
Synopsis
Less than three months after reaching the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time in history, India's Young Tigresses are already back in camp — this time chasing an unprecedented back-to-back qualification. With 24 players reporting to Bengaluru and coach Joakim Alexandersson scouting across three cities, India's push for Malaysia 2026 is firmly underway.
Key Takeaways
24 players reported for India's U17 women's football camp-cum-trials at The Sports School, Bengaluru on 17 July .
The AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers will be held in Malaysia from 5–11 October 2026 ; India drawn in Group E with Malaysia, Syria, and Iraq.
Swedish coach Joakim Alexandersson takes charge, replacing Pamela Conti who departed in May .
India's U17 side reached the Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time less than three months ago.
Scouting continues at the inaugural AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27 , starting 18 July in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh .
India aim to qualify for back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cups — an achievement no Indian side has managed before.
India's U17 women's football team launched its preparations for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers on Thursday, 17 July, as the first batch of 24 players reported for a camp-cum-trials session at The Sports School in Bengaluru. The camp marks the opening move in India's bid to qualify for back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cups — a feat no Indian side has achieved before.
Qualification Fixtures and Group Draw
The Qualifiers are scheduled to be held in Malaysia from 5 to 11 October 2026. India has been placed in Group E, alongside hosts Malaysia, Syria, and Iraq. Only players born on or after 1 January 2010 are eligible to represent India in the tournament.
New Coach, Familiar Name
Swedish coach Joakim Alexandersson has taken charge of the U17 women's setup for this qualification cycle. He replaces Pamela Conti, who had guided the team through the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2026 before departing at the end of her contract in May. Alexandersson is no stranger to this group — he previously guided an earlier batch of the U17 side to qualification for the 2026 tournament and also led the U20 women's team in the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup 2026.
Building on Historic Quarterfinal Run
Less than three months ago, the Young Tigresses made history by reaching the Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The current camp is framed as the first step in sustaining that momentum. The squad is still taking shape — additional players are expected to join following ongoing scouting across the country.
Notably, Alexandersson attended the Khelo India Performance Assessment Camp in New Delhi earlier this month, where he evaluated several emerging players. He also visited the FIFA-AIFF Telangana Talent Academy in Hyderabad as part of the identification process.
Scouting to Continue at Inaugural Youth League
The player search will extend to the inaugural AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27, which kicks off in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on 18 July. Alexandersson is expected to travel to the competition to monitor performances and identify further candidates for the national camp.
Further evaluations are slated over the coming weeks before the preliminary squad for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers is finalised and announced. All eyes will be on whether this generation of Young Tigresses can etch another historic chapter.
Point of View
The U17 women's setup is already in camp for the next cycle. Retaining Alexandersson, who knows this pipeline intimately, is a sound continuity call. The real test, however, is squad depth: the Youth League scouting suggests the talent base is still thin enough that the head coach must personally canvas three cities to fill 24 spots. If India is serious about making back-to-back qualifications the norm rather than the exception, the AIFF's investment in the Telangana Talent Academy and Khelo India pathways needs to produce players who arrive camp-ready, not trial-ready.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is India's U17 women's football camp being held?
The camp began on 17 July 2026 at The Sports School in Bengaluru, with 24 players reporting for the opening session. Additional players are expected to join as scouting continues across the country.
Which teams are in India's group for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers?
India has been drawn in Group E alongside hosts Malaysia, Syria, and Iraq. The Qualifiers will be held in Malaysia from 5 to 11 October 2026.
Who is coaching the India U17 women's team for the 2027 Qualifiers?
Swedish coach Joakim Alexandersson has taken charge for this qualification cycle. He replaces Pamela Conti, who left after her contract ended in May 2026. Alexandersson previously guided an earlier U17 batch to qualification for the 2026 tournament.
Why is this qualification campaign historically significant for India?
India's U17 women's team reached the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time earlier in 2026. Qualifying for the 2027 edition would make India the first U17 women's side to achieve back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifications.
How is the AIFF scouting players for the U17 women's squad?
Coach Alexandersson attended the Khelo India Performance Assessment Camp in New Delhi and visited the FIFA-AIFF Telangana Talent Academy in Hyderabad. Scouting will also continue at the inaugural AIFF U17 Women's Youth League 2026-27, which begins on 18 July in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
