AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Know India's opponents in Group H

India are placed in Group H alongside Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei.

The Indian U23 team will begin their journey in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers on September 3. The team led by Naushad Moosa will face Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei in the qualifier round. Qatar will host the group, with all matches taking place in Doha.

India are riddled with the unavailability of Mohun Bagan Super Giant players as the Indian Super League champions decided not to release the players with the AFC Champions League 2 around the corner. It will take some effort for India to top the group, with a depleted squad and teams like Qatar challenging for that spot.

Also Read: No Mohun Bagan players in India U23 final 23-member squad; Kipgen & Sanatomba Singh release

AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers have always proved to be an impossible task for India. Never in history has the team reached the main tournament. Given the record, the challenge becomes tougher for this team, which has a talented bunch of players eager to show their class.

These qualifiers will be a test of character for these boys, who have had a truncated camp before the tournament. In this article, we will learn about the opponents that India will have to face.

Take a look at India U23’s opponents in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Qatar U23

The 2018 Bronze medalist Qatar are the hosts of the group and will have a massive home advantage in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. They are a formidable unit, aiming to make it into the AFC U23 Asian Cup again. They have appeared in the main tournament five times in the past.

They qualified for the quarter-finals in the last edition at their home. The Maroons lost to Japan in a 4-2 defeat that knocked them out of the competition.

Ilidio Vale, who has served as the assistant manager of the Portugal national team, will be at the helm of affairs for Qatar. He has the experience of working at the U23 level with the Portugal team. The recent results have been underwhelming for Qatar. They will be desperate to prove themselves in the qualifiers.

Bahrain U23

The second West Asian side that India will lock horns with in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers is Bahrain. They have a similar record to India when it comes to appearances in the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Bahrain have only qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup once. They participated in the 2020 edition that was held in Thailand.

However, ‘Al-Ahmar’, as they are famously known, will be a tricky opposition to play against for any team in the group. 2025 has been a year of introspection for them so far.

Bahrain had a disappointing campaign in this year’s WAFF U23 Championship. They defeated the likes of the UAE but lost to Syria and Oman. The qualifiers will allow them to redeem themselves and confirm their qualification to the main tournament for the second time.

Brunei U23

The last team in the group is Brunei. Only team from South East Asia to feature in the group. They are the underdogs in the group and would be targeted by the other teams to accumulate points. Here’s another team in the group that is aiming to qualify for the main tournament for the first time.

However, that will be a herculean challenge considering they have not consistently proven themselves in the Southeast Asian region. That will be their primary goal before targeting a place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Indian U23 final squad for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Mohd Arbaz (Kerala Blasters), Sahil (Bengaluru FC), Dipesh Chauhan (Northeast United)

Defenders: Bikash Yumnam (Kerala Blasters), Haobam Ricky Meetei (Bengaluru FC), Muhammed Saheef AP (Kerala Blasters), Pramveer (Punjab FC), Subham Bhattacharya (Odisha FC), Harsh Arun Palande (Bengaluru FC)

Midfielders: Ayush Chhetri (FC Goa), Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC), Lalremtluanga Fanai (Bengaluru FC), Lalrinliana Hnamte (Chennaiyin FC), Macarton Louis Nickson (NorthEast United), Mohammed Aimen (Kerala Blasters), Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters), Vinith Venkatesh (Bengaluru FC), Soham Naveen Varshneya (Bengaluru FC)

Forwards: Mohammed Sanan K (Jamshedpur FC), Parthib Sundar Gogoi (NorthEast United), Md. Suhail (Punjab FC), Sahil Harijan (United SC Kolkata), M.S.Sreekuttan (Kerala Blasters)

India’s schedule for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

• 3 September 2025 – Bahrain vs India | Doha, Qatar
• 6 September 2025 – India vs Qatar | Doha, Qatar
• 9 September 2025 – India vs Brunei | Doha, Qatar

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