India U-20 men's football team to face Singapore in two friendlies in Bengaluru
India gear up for the continental challenge
As exclusively revealed by Khel Now earlier, as part of their preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, the India U-20 men’s team will play two friendly matches against Singapore on August 3 and 6, 2026, at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. Both matches will take place behind closed doors.
India and Singapore have met twice before in official U-20 men’s competitions, with India winning both encounters in the AFC Youth Championship, a 4-1 victory in 1966, followed by a penalty shootout triumph in the quarter-finals during their title-winning campaign in 1974.
The two sides also played a pair of U-19 international friendlies in Goa in 2017, with India winning the first 7-2 before Singapore claimed the second 1-0.
In the 2027 qualifiers, the Blue Colts, led by head coach Mahesh Gawali, will face Syria (August 31), Uzbekistan (September 3), and Bangladesh (September 6) in Tashkent.
The Blue Colts eye a fresh start after a disappointing SAFF Championship
The Blue Colts will play these friendlies as they gear up for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers. They head on to these friendlies after finishing as the runners-up in the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 which was held in Maldives.
The Blue Colts managed to top their group with a 3-0 victory over Pakistan and a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh.
They later defeated Bhutan with a huge scoreline of 5-0 before facing Bangladesh once more in the finals of the tournament.
However, Bangladesh managed to win the final on penalties as they edged past the Blue Colts 4-3.
The campaign saw multiple positives and negatives. A lot of players like Omang Dodum stepped up, meanwhile some decisions made by the head coach Mahesh Gawali was very questionable.
India’s schedule for friendlies against Singapore
As previously confirmed exclusively by Khel Now, The Blue Colts will be playing two friendlies against Singapore at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.
The first friendly between India U-20 and Singapore U-20 will be played on August 3 followed by the final friendly against Singapore on August 6.
Both of these friendly games will be played behind closed doors in Bengaluru as the Blue Colts gear up for the qualifiers.
- August 3: India U-20 vs Singapore U-20, Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru.
- August 6: India U-20 vs Singapore U-20, Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru.
Who is the head coach of India U-20 men’s team?
Mahesh Gawali is the head coach of India U-20 men’s team.
When are the friendlies against Singapore scheduled for?
Indian U-20 men’s team will play two friendly matches against Singapore on August 3 and 6, 2026, at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.