India U20 drawn with Syria, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh for AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Uzbekistan

India U20 Men’s National Football Team, coached by Mahesh Gawali, will compete in Group B of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Uzbekistan from August 31 to September 6, 2026, having been drawn with Syria, Bangladesh and hosts Uzbekistan. The federation named a 23-man squad for the qualifiers ahead of the tournament.

The qualifiers use a centralised single round-robin format with each group staged at a single venue, and the competition will run from August 31 to September 6, 2026. The Asian Football Confederation introduced a new two-tier structure for youth competitions that combines promotion/relegation with qualification. Under the qualifying arrangement, 32 nations are divided into eight groups of four; the eight group winners and the seven best second-placed sides across the groups advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup main stage while the remaining teams enter the newly created development phase.

Mahesh Gawali’s squad arrives in Group B aiming to return to the AFC U20 Asian Cup main round for the first time since 2006, when India hosted the tournament. The team narrowly missed out on the previous edition’s group stage and will target either the group top spot or one of the best second-placed positions to secure qualification to the main phase.

The Blue Colts face a compact schedule with three fixtures in quick succession and little margin for error after the official fixture release. India open against Syria, then play the hosts Uzbekistan, and conclude their Group B campaign against Bangladesh, all matches taking place in Uzbekistan.

India’s 23-player roster for the qualifiers is: Goalkeepers: Jaskaran Dub, Pranav Sundarraman, Suraj Singh Aheibam. Defenders: Asher Rebello, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Karish Soram, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Yaipharemba Chingakham. Midfielders: Aniket Yadav, Danny Meitei Laishram, Md Arbash, Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam, Rishikanta Meitei Laishram, Samson Ahongshangbam, Shami Singamayum. Forwards: Daniyal Makakmayum, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hateem Ali, Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Vishal Yadav.

The India support staff named for the campaign are: Head coach Mahesh Gawali, Assistant coach MG Ramachandran, Goalkeeping coach Parshuram Salwadi and Strength and conditioning coach Anugrah Suresh. The qualifiers will operate under the AFC’s reformed youth competition framework for this edition.

India’s Group B fixtures and kick-off times in Indian Standard Time are: 16:30 IST, August 31 — Syria vs India; 19:30 IST, September 3 — India vs Uzbekistan; 16:30 IST, September 6 — India vs Bangladesh. The AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers will be played from August 31 to September 6, 2026.