India U23 vs Bhutan U23 Live: Follow U23 Tri-Nation friendly 2026 Live
The India U-23 football team will compete in a Tri-Nation International friendly Tournament against Bhutan and Tajikistan during the March 2026 International window. Naushad Moosa’s squad will try to build on their strong performance from last year with games against Bhutan and Tajikistan.
The competition began on March 25th, with Tajikistan and Bhutan facing off in the first match. The India U23, on the other hand, will begin their campaign against Bhutan U23 on March 28, 2026, at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh.
It’s time for the India U23 players to take the field and play a competitive match after spending the first part of the ISL season training and sitting on the bench at various venues.
As many as seven players have played 0 minutes in the ISL, demonstrating the concern Naushad Moosa raised a few months ago.
The Stakes
India U23
Despite the difficulties in Indian football over the previous 12-18 months, one positive aspect is the amount of gametime the India U23 team has received over the last year or so. And Naushad Moosa appeared to be working extremely hard with these youngsters, getting the best of them in every window.
Not only the results, but the positive football produced by the India U23 side during the last three international windows has been among the most effective any Indian team has played across age groups. They narrowly missed out on the AFC U-23 Asian Cup purely because of goal difference.
Their last game was a 4-0 loss to Thailand where Naushad Moosa deployed a whole bunch of new faces to test them at the international level.
The only issue for the head coach coming into the tournament would be the lack of game-time for these players over the past four months.
The key goal for Naushad Moosa and India U23 versus Bhutan has to be to have these players match fit before the last encounter against Tajikistan U-23.
Bhutan U23
Bhutan, like India, failed to qualify for the 2026 AFC Asian Cup following crushing defeats to Jordan and Turkmenistan, although winning their last game against Chinese Taipei. Bhutan’s players have already played 90 minutes in the opener against Tajikistan U-23; thus, they are well-prepared for the India match.
The Dragon Boys lost the game with a deceiving score of 1-0, as Tajikistan’s 10-man had several opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. Bhutan also had a few scoring opportunities, but they were unable to convert and salvage a point.
Head coach Chencho Dorji, who has past experience in India working with Sudeva Delhi FC, will treat the Indian clash as an opportunity for his players to experience a tough battle against a superior side.
Team News
With Bhutan coming into the India clash just three days after an intense encounter against Tajikistan, the match fitness of the players would be tested a lot.
Regarding India, there have been no reports of injuries in the camp, and Naushad Moosa is anticipated to have a completely fit team for competition.
Head-to-Head
The sole match between the two sides occurred in the 2004 South Asian Games in Pakistan, when India easily defeated Bhutan 4-1 in light of a brace from a promising teenager named Sunil Chhetri.
Matches Played – 1
India U23 wins – 1
Bhutan U23 wins – 0
Draws – 0
Predicted Lineups
India U23 (4-2-3-1)
Priyansh Dubey (GK), Harsh Palande, Dippendu Biswas, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Thoi Singh.
Bhutan U23 (4-3-3)
Lhocho Nima (GK), Jignam Seltob Dorji, Kinley Penjor, Kinzang Tashi Tobden, Tshultrim Pelzang, Bikash Pradhan, Pema Zangpo (C), Jigme Namgyal, Jetsuen Dorji, Sonam Jugdul, Kinzang Tenzin.
Telecast details
Fans across India will be able to catch all the live action of the India U23 vs Bhutan U23 clash on the Sony Sports network, with seamless streaming also available on Sony LIV.
Meanwhile, supporters tuning in from outside India can follow the match live exclusively through Khel Now’s official Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter) handle, ensuring global access to the encounter.
When was the last time India U-23 and Bhutan U-23 faced each other?
Both sides last met in the 2004 South Asian Games in Pakistan where India emerged victorious with a scoreline of 4-1.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.