India U-20 to open AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifying against Syria in Tashkent on August 31

India U-20 will begin their AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign against Syria U-20 at the Do’stik Stadium in Tashkent on Monday, 31 August 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 PM IST. The visitors must secure three points in the opening group match to set a positive tone for qualification, while Syria arrive intent on starting strongly.

India’s U-20 side arrive under head coach Mahesh Gawali, having “performed relatively well” in 2026 under his management, according to the report. The squad will be expected to maintain sharpness in duels, produce inventive attacking play and be clinical in the final third in order to convert chances into goals. A defeat in the opening fixture is described as capable of hampering India’s prospects of topping the group.

Syria’s U-20 team come into the qualifiers after a “relatively disappointing outing” at the 2025 U-20 AFC Asian Cup, where they recorded two draws and did not progress beyond the group stage. The Syrian side aim to improve on that performance by beginning qualification with a win and are expected to deploy a fast-paced approach while seeking efficiency in the final third.

Mahesh Gawali has named a 23-man squad for the qualifiers, with Yohaan Benjamin, Ashik Adhikari, Agastya Bhat and Dallalmuon Gangte omitted from the selection. The report states Syria are expected to bring a strong squad for their qualifying campaign. Won by India U-20: 0 Won by Syria U-20: 2 Suraj Singh (GK), Yaipharemba Chingakham, Sumit Sharma, Bungson Singh, Asher Rebello, Rishikanta Meitei, Md Arbash, Shami Singamuyam, Vishal Yadav, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Omang Dodum Amr Sweidan (GK), Omran Khalouf, Nabil Al-Omar, Mahmoud Wada, Ahmed Khalil, Ibrahim Saleh, Aland Abdi, Alan Mamo, Mahmoud Al-Omar, Majd Almeri, Youshaa Knaj

Logistics for the fixture are confirmed in the report: the India U-20 v Syria U-20 match will be staged at the Do’stik Stadium, Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on Monday, 31 August 2026, with a 4:30 PM IST kickoff. Telecast and live-streaming arrangements have not yet been confirmed.

India U-20 will face Syria U-20 on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 4:30 PM IST; telecast and live-stream details remain to be announced.