The Indian football team will return to the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time in two decades after securing their place at the 2027 continental championship on Sunday.
India sealed qualification with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in their final Group B qualifier at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Danny Meitei Laishram, Vishal Yadav and Md Arbash scored as the Blue Colts finished their qualifying campaign with six points from three matches.
India finished second in Group B behind hosts Uzbekistan, who topped the standings with a perfect nine points. Syria were third with three points while Bangladesh finished bottom without a point.
With the eight group winners and seven best runners-up progressing to the continental tournament, India’s six-point haul was enough to secure one of the runners-up berths.
The qualification ends a 20-year absence from the AFC U20 Asian Cup for India. Their last appearance at the continental championship came in 2006, when the football tournament was also held in India.
Mahesh Gawali’s side finished the 2026 qualifying campaign with two victories from their three matches, with their only defeat coming against group winners Uzbekistan.
India went into their final fixture against Bangladesh knowing a victory was crucial to their hopes of progressing. They delivered with their biggest win of the qualifying campaign, scoring through Danny in the 25th minute, Vishal on the hour mark and substitute Arbash in the 79th.
The result ensured India finished ahead of Syria and Bangladesh and ultimately secured their place among the best runners-up across the eight qualifying groups.
The AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 will be held from March 24 to April 10 next year.
The tournament will also serve as the Asian qualifying competition for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2027, with the top four teams earning places at the global championship.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/afc-u20-asian-cup-2027-football-qualification-india-20-years
