Four new players included in India squad for AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Blue Colts will begin their campaign on November 22.

The India U17 football team will look to qualify for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup as they begin their qualification campaign against Palestine U17 on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The Blue Colts will need to win as many matches as possible against four opponents, which also includes heavyweights Iran.

Bibiano Fernandes is under pressure to produce some impressive results to help India qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, almost to make up for the senior team failing to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. The gaffer has chosen some of the best young players in the country, but there are also some interesting new additions to the squad.

Fernandes has been quite bold in integrating some players with zero international football experience into his squad for the qualifiers. This is mostly based on their eye-catching performances in the youth scene in Indian football, compelling the gaffer to choose them.

Here we take a look at the four new players who have been included in the India squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers.

4. Abhishek Kumar Mondal

Abhishek Kumar Mondal has had quite the fascinating rise in the Indian football scene thanks to his heroics for Mohun Bagan’s youth team. The teenage defender made his debut for the Mariners’ U17 side in a derby against East Bengal U17 at the age of only 14 years and seven months in January 2025!

Despite having only a few major competitive matches under his belt, Abhishek’s performances for Mohun Bagan U17 caught the eye of the India gaffer. The 15-year-old defender is a combative figure, blessed with decent pace and the ability to read the opposition player’s moves to make crucial challenges.

Abhishek Kumar will have to give his best in whatever role Fernandes gives him in the upcoming qualifiers to gain recognition and prove that Bengal football still has some good stars who can perform well at the international level.

3. Mukondo Singh Ningthoujam

Munkondo Singh was also a surprise inclusion in the India U17 squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers, considering he’s never played at any youth level for India. The Sudeva Delhi FC U17 midfielder has only played for them at regional and local tournaments, but somehow managed to earn Bibiano Fernandes’ admiration with his hard-working nature.

Mukundo has proven himself as an energetic midfielder for the Sudeva Delhi U17 team, covering a lot of space and being efficient with his technical abilities, such as making quick forward passes and creating chances.

The teenage midfielder will need to be sharp and efficient in the Blue Colts midfield to justify Fernandes’ selection and prove that he can be a key player for India’s youth sides going forward.

Mukondo will need to improve his ball-winning abilities and forward passing skills to overcome tougher opponents and prove he can make it at the international level.

2. Ankur Rajbagh

It appears that Bibiano Fernandes might’ve been quite impressed by the Sudeva Delhi U17 side, because he ended up calling more than one new face into his India U17 squad from them. Alongside Mukondo Singh, defender Ankur Rajbagh has also received a call-up to the Blue Colts’ squad.

Rajbagh is a relatively inexperienced defender, but his spirited nature and never-say-die attitude appear to have won over Fernandes.

The Sudeva Delhi youngster produced some impressive performances at the youth level for his side, frustrating attacking players with his in-game IQ and tendency to make crucial challenges.

He’s pretty good at clearing danger in the box and winning the physical duels, which is why the gaffer probably added him to the squad. Rajbagh will be under pressure to validate his selection, but a few rock-solid performances can propel him to become a pretty well-known young player in Indian football.

1. Jasir Khan

After being recently signed by East Bengal’s youth academy, things have gotten even better for young forward Jasir Khan as he’s been selected for the India U17 side for the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers. Khan is a product of the Kalyani Football Academy and has taken many promising strides upwards in his career over the last year.

Jasir might not have played in many major competitions, but his consistency at the regional level clearly caught Bibiano Fernandes’ attention. Khan’s height and physical strength are so good that he can trouble even the defenders of international teams.

He has also proven himself as a clinical figure in the final third, finishing off chances efficiently and being a proactive figure in the frontline. Jasir has to take this opportunity perfectly and convert whatever chances come his way to enhance India U17’s goal-scoring threat and help them gain a place at the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup.

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