India U-17 Football Team to face Turkey in twin friendlies ahead of AFC U-17 Asian Cup
India might also face Spartak Moscow’s youth side in Turkey.
The India U-17 men’s football team are moving ahead with their preparations for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026. After playing two friendly matches against Tajikistan in Goa, head coach Bibiano Fernandes and his squad have travelled to Turkey for a tougher set of international games.
These matches are part of a planned build-up for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 to be played between 7 and 24 May in Saudi Arabia. The draw for the group stage will take place on February 12.
As part of the Turkey tour, India U-17 are scheduled to play two matches against the Turkey U-17 national team on February 10 and February 12. In addition, AIFF are working to finalise a third friendly on February 15 against Spartak Moscow’s youth team.
India U-17 show promise in recent outings
India’s recent matches against Tajikistan in Goa offered encouraging signs. In the first closed-door friendly at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on January 29, India secured an impressive 4-2 victory. Dallalmoun Gangte opened the scoring early in the eighth minute, although Tajikistan responded through Mekhrubon Odilzoda to make it 1-1 at halftime.
After the restart, Deny Singh Wangkhem restored India’s lead just three minutes into the second half. Tajikistan once again fought back, with Sadriddin Sattorov equalising in the 66th minute. However, India finished strongly in the final phase of the match. An own goal, forced by Azlaan Shah KH’s dangerous cross in the 75th minute, decisively shifted momentum, before Washington Singh Ngangom sealed the win with an injury-time strike.
The second friendly, played on February 1 at the same venue, ended in a goalless draw. Although chances were limited, the match allowed Fernandes to assess defensive structure, squad rotation, and game management under controlled conditions.
India U-17 fixtures for Turkey tour
- February 10: India U-17 vs Turkey U17
- February 12: India U-17 vs Turkey U17
- February 15 (tentative): India U17 vs Spartak Moscow (youth team)
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Ashish Negi is the co-founder and CEO of Khel Now. He graduated from LPU with a degree in computer engineering in 2015. He started the Indian Football Team Facebook page in 2013 and gifted it to AIFF when it had 500K likes in 2015. He has been following and covering Indian Football & Sports since 2007. Follow Ashish for all the updates on Indian Football & Sports