India U-20 start camp in Bengaluru for AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers to take place in Uzbekistan

The Indian U-20 men’s team’s preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers are underway in Bengaluru, with the camp commencing with trials on June 11, 2026, at The Sports School and the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence.

India have been drawn in group B of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and Bangladesh. The qualifiers will be played in a centralised single round-robin format in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 31 to September 6, 2026.

The eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams across all groups will qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027.

Preparations get underway ahead of the continental challenge

A total of 102 players from across the country have participated in the trials since the camp began. Following the evaluation process, 26 players are currently training with the U-20 men’s national team, led by head coach Mahesh Gawali.

Fifteen players have been temporarily released from the camp at the request of their clubs to participate in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Tour. The group comprises eight players from Punjab FC, six from Bengaluru FC, and one from FC Goa. They will rejoin the national team camp upon their return from Japan next week.

Further evaluations will take place before the Blue Colts’ preliminary squad for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers is finalised and announced.

A look at India’s group stage schedule

India have been drawn alongside the group hosts Uzbekistan, Syria and Bangladesh in the group B of the qualification phase.

The qualifying matches for the group B are scheduled to take place in the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 31st August.

India U-20 will begin their qualifying campaign on 31st August as they take on Syria at the Do’stlik Stadium. Following that the young Blue Tigers will face the host Uzbekistan on 3rd September at the same venue.

India will play their last group stage qualifying match on 6th September against neighbours Bangladesh which can be a very crucial clash if things don’t go India’s way in the previous games.

• 31 August 2026: India vs Syria (Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
• 3 September 2026: Uzbekistan vs India (Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
• 6 September 2026: India vs Bangladesh (Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan)

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