- India will compete in Group C of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026
- It is made up of Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei
- India will be taking on Japan in their first match, with their next matches against Australia and Chinese Taipei
India finds themselves in Group C of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026 alongside Japan, Australia and Chinese Taipei, after the final draw in Bangkok on Monday.
According to the All India Football Federation website, this will be India's first entry into the tournament in 20 years. The Young Tigresses will face Japan first, and then go on to play Australia and then Chinese Taipei.
Japan was runners-up in 2024 and they are six-time champs of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup. The country won the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2018. Australia finished in third place in 2024 and Chinese Taipei was eliminated at the group stage.
The other groups boast hosts Thailand in Group A with China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and Group B contains South Korea, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan, and Jordan.
The following venues have been announced for the 2026 tournament: Rajamangala National Stadium (Bangkok), Thammasat Stadium (Pathum Thani), and Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani).
The seeding for the draw was based on points, which included three historical team rankings - 100 percent from 2024, 50 percent from 2019, and 25 percent from 2017. India, who had not qualified for any of the previous three tournaments, was placed in Pot 4.
The top two teams in each group, along with the next-best two third-place teams, will advance to the quarterfinals. The four semi-finalist teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026, with the defending champions of DPR Korea.
Final Draw Results:
Group A: Thailand, China PR, Vietnam, Bangladesh
Group B: DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, Jordan
Group C: Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei, India
