India drawn in Group D of AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, with Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon

India will host the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group D in Ahmedabad from November 22 to 30, 2025.

The Indian U17 team will face with IR Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. India’s opponents for the qualifying round were finalised after the draw that was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on August 7, 2025.

India has been placed in a tricky group in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 with some tough sides, known for their consistent performance on the Asian stage. The most challenging opponent will be IR Iran. However, Team India would be ready for the task as they have been preparing vigorously for this.

Also Read: Ahmedabad to host AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in November

India’s schedule in the Qualifiers

The Blue Colts will kickstart their qualification drive with their opening clash against Palestine on November 22. After three days’ respite, India will resume their campaign with a fixture involving Chinese Taipei on November 26.

The remaining two matches will pose a stiff challenge, as India will play Lebanon and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the span of two days, on November 28 and 30, respectively. Ishfaq Ahmed will have some job to keep his boys battle-hardened, with fatigue coming into play in a compact qualifying round.

• Match 1: India vs Palestine, November 22, 2025
• Match 2: India vs Chinese Taipei, November 26, 2025
• Match 3: India vs Lebanon, November 28, 2025
• Match 4: India vs IR Iran, November 30, 2025

AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers draw

The draw has grouped 38 teams into seven groups. Three of those seven groups will have six teams each, whereas the remaining groups will have five teams each.

Group A will have hosts China, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, and Sri Lanka. Group B consists of Yemen, Laos, Kyrgyz Republic, Cambodia, Guam, and Pakistan.

Vietnam will host Group C, which has teams like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Northern Mariana Islands, and Macau. Group D is formed by IR Iran, India, Palestine, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon.

Group E has Australia, Iraq, the Philippines, Jordan, and Bhutan. Thailand, Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Maldives are in Group F. Whereas Oman, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, and Nepal find their place in Group G.

• Group A: China PR (H), Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka
• Group B: Yemen, Laos, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Cambodia, Guam, Pakistan
• Group C: Vietnam (H), Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Northern Mariana Islands, Macau
• Group D: Islamic Republic of Iran, India (H), Palestine, Chinese Taipei, Lebanon
• Group E: Australia, Iraq, Philippines, Jordan (H), Bhutan
• Group F: Thailand (H), Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Maldives
• Group G: Oman, Afghanistan, Myanmar (H), Syria, Nepal

India to host the qualifiers in Ahmedabad

This will be a massive opportunity for India to seal their place in the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup, as they will be playing in home conditions.

The Arena, in Ahmedabad, will be the battleground for the qualifiers. With the SAFF U-17 Championship on the cards, Ishfaq Ahmed would tighten the grooves to prepare the young guns.

However, to ace the qualifiers, the Blue Colts would have to go a notch up to bridge the gap between the quality of sides in the two competitions. The fans in Ahmedabad would be keen to watch the boys take on the best in Asia to make their way into the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup.

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