Indian teams’ contribution to India U-17 squad for AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers revealed: A team-wise breakdown

India U-17 qualified for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup under Bibiano Fernandes.

The Indian U-17 team, who qualified for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup after missing out on the 2025 edition, are back in action on the continental stage as they prepare to take part in the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 4 to 20, 2026.

India have been placed in Group E alongside Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore and Guam. None of the other teams in the group featured in the previous edition of the tournament. As a result, India will be among the favourites on paper, and the qualification campaign is expected to be a relatively straightforward task for the Blue Colts.

However, there has been one major change in the Indian team setup. Head coach Bibiano Fernandes, who led the team to the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, has been replaced by Mehrajuddin Wadoo.

The former India right-back has been appointed following his impressive work at Mohammedan SC, where he made the most of limited resources and the young players at his disposal.

Wadoo has announced a 23-member squad that will represent India in the qualifiers in Malaysia. Let’s take a look at the club-wise and academy-wise breakdown of the players selected.

NorthEast United FC – 5 players

The Highlanders, who have been focusing heavily on their academy ever since the arrival of Mandar Tamhane and Naushad Moosa, have the highest representation from a single club, with five NorthEast United FC players selected for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Gangte and Lawmsangzuala were part of the squad that featured in the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, with the latter having scored 10 goals already for the Indian U-17 side. Manipur born striker Felix Meitei Saikhom, who previously played for Maharashtra United Football Academy and AIFF-backed academy has also been selected.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Lawmsangzuala	Defender
2	Leo Thongbam	Defender
3	Dallalmuon Gangte	Midfielder
4	Henthoiba Keisam	Midfielder
5	Felix Meitei Saikhom	Striker

Punjab FC – 3 players

Punjab FC, who are always among the leading contributors to India’s youth teams, have once again had three of their players selected for the upcoming qualifiers. This is a strong testament to the incredible work they do in grassroots football.

Maroof Shafi was part of the previous squad that represented India in the qualifiers, while all three players featured in the recent friendlies against Myanmar.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Maroof Shafi	Goalkeeper
2	Zoramdinthara	Defender
3	R Lawmsangzuala	Midfielder

Bengaluru FC – 3 players

Another top academy in the country, Bengaluru FC have three players from their academy selected by Mehrajuddin Wadoo for the upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Striker Hrishikesh and defender Maldino Yumnam were part of a few friendlies in 2025 but featured in neither the qualifiers nor the final tournament of the previous edition. They now make a return to the India U-17 setup for the upcoming campaign.

Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi was also awarded the Golden Boot for his incredible performance in the AIFF Junior League 2025-26

S.No	Player	Position
1	Maldino Singh Yumnam	Defender
2	Thiyam Sambay	Midfielder
3	Hrishikesh Charan Manavathi	Forward

Sudeva Delhi FC – 3 players

Sudeva Delhi, a renowned youth academy known for producing top players, have three representatives in the squad for the qualifiers.

Midfielder Mukundo Singh is the only one among them who was part of the previous qualifying campaign under Bibiano Fernandes.

Mukundo also scored for the Blue Colts in their 4-2 victory against FC Spartak Moscow in 2026.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Malem Laishram	Defender
2	Mukundo Singh	Midfielder
3	Md Sahir Ali	Forward

FC Madras – 2 players

FC Madras, one of the country’s renowned youth academies in recent times, will have two of their young players representing India in the upcoming qualifiers in Malaysia.

Both players were part of the AIFF-FIFA Talent Academy before joining the club in recent times.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Malsawmtluanga	Defender
2	Jinesh Thoudam	Defender

Reliance Foundation Young Champs – 2 players

A project established a few years ago, Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) has produced several players for the ISL, I-League and even the Indian national team.

The academy will have two of its graduates, goalkeeper Arnav Pandhare and Ristik Maity, representing the Blue Colts in Kuala Lumpur.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Arnav Pandhare	Goalkeeper
2	Ristik Maity	Forward

Minerva Academy – 2 players

An academy that claims to be among the best in the country, Minerva Academy have two players selected by Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Both impressed in the recently concluded 65th edition of the Subroto Cup.

Raj Singh was also part of India’s final squad for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, although he failed to make a significant impact.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Sailex Oinam	Goalkeeper
2	Raj Singh Wahengbam	Forward

Sporting Club Delhi – 2 players

Sporting Club Delhi invested in youth ahead of the start of the season, signing four youngsters. Diamond Singh, one of those signings, has already made his ISL debut.

Meanwhile, Irengbam Newtan and Kamgouhao have now been selected by Mehrajuddin Wadoo for the upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.

S.No	Player	Position
1	Irengbam Newtan	Goalkeeper
2	Kamgouhao Doungel	Forward

Classic FA – 1 player

Midfielder David Mangang Irom is the only player from Classic FA selected for the upcoming qualifiers. He was recently included in the squad for the Myanmar friendlies, and Wadoo appears to have been impressed enough to retain him in the setup.

S.No	Player	Position
1	David Mangang Irom	Midfielder

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