India U17 Women to face Philippines in two Goa friendlies on Sep 26, 29
Synopsis
India's U17 women's team will face Philippines in Goa on 26 and 29 September — their last friendlies before the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Malaysia. Having made history by reaching the knockout stage in the previous edition, the Young Tigresses are now chasing a first-ever back-to-back qualification.
Key Takeaways
India U17 women will play two friendlies against Philippines in Goa on 26 and 29 September .
It will be only the second meeting between the two sides at this age level; Philippines won 2-0 in the 2017 AFC U16 Qualifiers .
India are currently in Tashkent playing friendlies against Uzbekistan under coach Joakim Alexandersson .
The Young Tigresses open their AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers campaign against Iraq on 5 October in Kuala Lumpur .
The AIFF has introduced an 8 v 8 format for the Sub Junior National Football Championships 2026-27 , aligned with FIFA U15 World Cup guidelines.
The India U17 women's football team will host Philippines in two international friendly matches in Goa on 26 September and 29 September, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed. The fixtures form part of the Young Tigresses' final preparatory block ahead of the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, scheduled from 5 to 11 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The venue within Goa is yet to be finalised.
Historical Context of the Fixture
The Goa matches will mark only the second time India and Philippines have met at this age level. Their sole previous encounter came in the AFC U16 Women's Championship 2017 Qualifiers, where the Southeast Asians won 2-0. The rematch gives India an opportunity to reverse that result ahead of a high-stakes qualifying tournament.
Current Preparations in Tashkent
Coached by Joakim Alexandersson, India are presently in Tashkent, playing two friendlies against hosts Uzbekistan. The first match ended goalless, while the second is scheduled for Sunday. The Philippines friendlies in Goa will then serve as the team's final tune-up before departure for Malaysia.
AFC U17 Qualifiers Campaign
India will open their qualifying campaign against Iraq on 5 October, before facing Syria on 8 October and hosts Malaysia on 11 October. The Young Tigresses carry significant momentum into the tournament, having made their historic first-ever appearance in the knockout stage of the previous edition held in Suzhou, China. The team now aims to qualify for back-to-back AFC U17 Women's Asian Cups — a feat they have never achieved before.
AIFF Revamps Youth Competition Format
In a parallel development, the AIFF on Friday announced a revamped competition format for the Sub Junior Boys' and Girls' National Football Championships 2026-27, aligned with FIFA U15 World Cup format guidelines. Under the new structure, matches will be played 8 v 8, with two halves of 20 minutes each and a five-minute half-time break. The pitch will measure 68 metres by 50 metres, with a standard goal of 7.32 metres by 2.44 metres and an offside line marked at 23 metres. The overhaul is aimed at enhancing player growth, technical proficiency, and competitive intensity at the grassroots level.
With the qualifiers just weeks away, India's preparation schedule leaves little room for error — and the Goa friendlies against Philippines will be a critical final test of readiness.
Point of View
But the real test lies in how the AIFF converts friendly momentum into knockout-stage results. The Philippines fixture is instructive — India lost 2-0 in 2017 and will want a confidence-building reversal. More broadly, the simultaneous grassroots format overhaul signals that the federation is thinking beyond the current squad, but FIFA-aligned formats only deliver if coaching quality and infrastructure at district level keep pace. Structural announcements without ground-level execution have been a recurring gap in Indian football development.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will India U17 women play against Philippines?
India U17 women will face Philippines in two friendly matches in Goa on 26 September and 29 September. The specific venue within Goa is yet to be confirmed by the AIFF.
Why are these friendlies important for India U17 women?
The matches against Philippines are the Young Tigresses' final preparatory fixtures before the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, running from 5 to 11 October. They offer the team a competitive run-out ahead of group-stage matches against Iraq, Syria, and Malaysia.
Who coaches the India U17 women's team?
The team is coached by Joakim Alexandersson. Under his charge, India are currently in Tashkent playing two friendlies against Uzbekistan, with the first match ending goalless.
What is India's group at the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers?
India will face Iraq on 5 October, Syria on 8 October, and hosts Malaysia on 11 October at the qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
What is the new AIFF Sub Junior football format?
The AIFF has introduced an 8 v 8 match format for the Sub Junior Boys' and Girls' National Football Championships 2026-27, based on FIFA U15 World Cup guidelines. Matches will have two 20-minute halves on a 68-by-50-metre pitch, with a standard goal size and an offside line at 23 metres.
