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India national under-17 football team

National association football team


National association football team

FieldValue
NameIndia U-17
BadgeIndian Football 2020.svg
Badge_size200px
FIFA TrigrammeIND
NicknameThe Blue Colts
AssociationAll India Football Federation
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationSAFF (South Asia)
CoachBibiano Fernandes
CaptainDenny Singh Wangkhem
pattern_la1_ind2425h
pattern_b1_ind2425h
pattern_ra1_ind2425h
pattern_sh1_ind2425h
leftarm100A9FF
body100A9FF
rightarm100A9FF
shorts100A9FF
socks100A9FF
pattern_la2_ind2425a
pattern_b2_ind2425a
pattern_ra2_ind24a
pattern_sh2_ind2425a
leftarm2FF6607
body2FF6607
rightarm2FF6607
shorts2FF6607
socks2FF6607
First game2–1
(Bangkok, Thailand; 20 August 1984)
Largest win13–0
(Bangkok, Thailand; 27 August 1984)
13–0 <br/>(Chonburi, Thailand; 23 October 2024)<ref>{{cite weburlhttps://www.the-aiff.com/article/india-ransack-brunei-in-u17-asian-qualifiers-openertitle=India ransack Brunei in U17 Asian qualifiers opener}}
Largest loss8–0
(St. Petersburg, Russia; 8 January 2017)
Regional nameWorld Cup
Regional cup apps1
Regional cup first2017
Regional cup bestGroup stage (2017)
2ndRegional nameAsian Cup
2ndRegional cup apps10
2ndRegional cup first1990
2ndRegional cup bestQuarter-final (2002, 2018)
3rdRegional nameSAFF Championship
3rdRegional cup apps10
3rdRegional cup first2011
3rdRegional cup bestChampions (2013, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
4thRegional nameWAFF Championship (as guests)
4thRegional cup apps1
4thRegional cup first2018
4thRegional cup bestRunners-up (2018)
Note

men's football team

| Sub-confederation = SAFF (South Asia) (Bangkok, Thailand; 20 August 1984) (Bangkok, Thailand; 27 August 1984)

13–0 (Chonburi, Thailand; 23 October 2024) (St. Petersburg, Russia; 8 January 2017)

The India national under-17 football team represents India in international football at the under-17 level. Controlled by the All India Football Federation, the governing body for football in India, the team is part of the Asian Football Confederation and the South Asian Football Federation.

History

FIFA U-17 World Cup

India participated for the first time in FIFA U-17 World Cup as hosts in the 2017 edition of the tournament. This was the first time ever, and as of 2025 the only time, that a team representing India would participate in the finals of a FIFA organized world tournament. India was placed in group A along with, United States, Ghana and Columbia. On 6 October 2017, India played their first ever match in FIFA-U17 World Cup history against United States in front of 47,000 spectators. India lost the match by 3–0. India played their Second match against Colombia. Although India lost 1–2, in the 82nd minute Jeakson Singh Thounaojam became the first Indian goalscorer in a FIFA tournament. In the third match of group stage, India faced Ghana where they lost 4–0, finishing bottom of the group A. India also failed to qualify for 2019 edition when they lost by 1–0 in the quarterfinal match against South Korea at the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship.

AFC U-17 Asian Cup

The AFC U-16 Championship is the top level tournament for under-16 football teams in Asia and began in 1985. India participated in the tournament for the first time in 1990. They were knocked-out of the tournament in the group stage, finishing third in their four-team group with one against Jordan. The team qualified again for the tournament in 1996 where they finished last in their group which included Bahrain, China, Iran, and Thailand. The team lost three of their four matches, with their sole victory coming against China.

India qualified again for the tournament in 2002, where they reached the quarter-final round, in their best result to date. The team took on South Korea in the quarter-finals but lost 3–1, and thus failed to advance further. Following the 2002 tournament, India qualified for the next tournament in Japan. Two defeats and one victory in the group stage saw India finish third in their group, and were knocked out from the tournament.

After failing to qualify for 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, India qualified for the 2008 edition. Two defeats before a sole victory over Indonesia saw India once again make it no further than the group stage. The same result followed in 2012, only this time with no wins in the group stage.

India, for the seventh time, participated in the tournament in 2016 with the nation hosting the tournament. Despite home advantage, India once again could not make it beyond the group stage and finished last in their group which consisted of themselves, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.

India qualified for 2018 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualification round. India defeated Palestine, 3–0, then played a 2–2 draw against Nepal and finally qualified for the 2018 edition when they played a goalless draw against the defending champion Iraq. India played its group stage matches against Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia at the 2018 edition in Malaysia. They defeated Vietnam by 1–0, then held Iran to a goal less draw and finally qualified for the knock out stages by holding Indonesia to a 0–0 draw. In the quarter finals they were defeated 1–0 by heavy weights South Korea, ending their run in the tournament.

India has also qualified for the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualifying round. In the first game they defeated Turkmenistan 5–0. In the second game also they defeated Bahrain by an identical score line. They finally qualified for the finals by holding Uzbekistan to a 1–1 draw. India was clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan in Group C for the tournament. But the tournament was called of due to COVID-19.

India qualified for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup for third consecutive time. India defeated Maldives by 5–0, Kuwait by 3–0 and Myanmar by 4–1 but fell to Saudi Arabia by 1–2. India qualified as second placed best ranked teams making their 9th appearance in the tournament. In 2023, India was clubbed with Vietnam, Uzbekistan and Japan in group stage of 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Thailand. India began their Asian campaign with a draw with Vietnam by 1–1 with a spectacular long shot by Malemnganba Singh Thokchom but fell to Uzbekistan by a solitary goal. The team faced a huge defeat against Japan but have put a valiant performance scoring 4 goals, concluding by score of 8–4 ending their campaign with a draw and two losses.

SAFF U-17 Championship

In 2009, the SAFF U-16 Championship was launched. India participated in the first edition of the tournament in 2011. After an opening day surprise defeat to Pakistan, India qualified for the next round after defeating the Maldives 5–0. India then made it to the final, defeating Nepal on penalties, but again lost to Pakistan in the final 2–1. India fared much better in the 2013 edition, finishing first in their group of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, before defeating Afghanistan in the semi-final on penalties. In the final, India defeated Nepal 1–0 to win the tournament for the first time.

As reigning champions, India entered the 2015 edition of the tournament with a 5–0 victory over Sri Lanka. India then suffered a 2–1 defeat to Bangladesh to finish second in the group, and but still qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, India once again defeated Nepal 1–0, but lost to Bangladesh in the final on penalties.

At the 2017 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Maldives and Nepal by 9–0 and 2–1 respectively. In the semi-final they defeated Bhutan by 3–0 and entered to the final and faced Nepal again and defeated them by 2–1 to become SAFF champion for the second time after 2013.

2019 edition of the tournament was their third title. In this edition the tournament was played in round robin, thus India played against all other teams and managed to win all their matches without a goal conceded. In the final they faced Nepal whom they easily defeated by 7−0 margin, thus scoring 28 goals in 5 matches, becoming champions for the third time.

2022 edition was their fourth title. In this edition, India was clubbed with Bhutan and Nepal. India began their SAFF campaign with a comfortable 3–0 win over Bhutan but surprisingly lost to Nepal by 1–3. Though, India qualified for semi finals where they defeated Bangladesh by 1–2 score line. India again faced Nepal in the finals where now they defeated Nepal with 4–0.

At the 2023 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Nepal and Bangladesh by the scoreline of 1–0 in both games. In the semi-final they defeated Maldives by 8–0 and entered to the final and faced Bangladesh. India defeated them by 2–0 to become SAFF champion for the fifth time.

2024 edition turned out to be another title for them. India entered the semi finals by defeating Bangladesh and Maldives by 1–0 and 3–0 in both group games. In the semi-finals, they thrashed Nepal by score line of 4–2 and entered the final facing Bangladesh once again. India defeated them by 2–0 and won the title for sixth time.

AIFF Youth Cup

The AIFF Youth Cup was first competed for in 2016. It was organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as a preparatory tournament for the India under-17 team for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The first tournament was held from 15 May to 25 May 2016 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, Goa. A total of five teams participated in the tournament after being invited by the All India Football Federation. The final was won 2–1 by South Korea over the United States.

Recent results and fixtures

For past match results of the under-17 team, see the results in Indian football seasons.

Matches in the last 12 months, and future scheduled matches

;Legend

2025

  • Gangte
  • Manavathi
  • Doungel
  • Wangkheirakpam
  • Najar
  • R. Ahmed
  • Gangte
  • Wangkheirakpam
  • R. Ahmed
  • M. Abdullah
  • H. Yasir
  • Wangkheirakpam
  • Shah
  • Thokchom
  • M. Manik
  • Riduan
  • Ikramul
  • Azam
  • M. Manik
  • Gangte
  • A. Shah
  • Gangte
  • K. Meitei
  • R. Magar
  • Poonia
  • Jomah
  • Poonia
  • Gangte
  • Yang Hao-wei
  • Assaf
  • Maakaroun
  • Valipoor
  • Gangte
  • Wangkheirakpam

2026

  • Gangte
  • Wangkhem
  • ??
  • Ngangom
  • Odilzoda
  • Sattorov

Coaching staff

Recent callups

The following footballers were part of national selection in the past twelve months, but are not part of the current call-up.

Past squads

;FIFA U-17 World Cup:

Competitive record

: Red border indicates the team played as the host of the tournament.

:*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicates 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

FIFA U-17 World Cup

FIFA U-17 World Cup recordYearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGAGDTotal1/200 Titles300319−8
CHN 1985 to Chile 2015Did not qualify
IND 2017Group stage24th300319−8
BRA 2019 to QAT 2025Did not qualify
FIFA U-17 World Cup HistoryYearRoundScoreResult
2017Round 10–3Loss
1–2Loss
0–4Loss

AFC U-17 Asian Cup

AFC U-17 Asian Cup recordQualification recordHost/YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGAGDPldWD*LGFGAGDRefTotal10/210 Titles3067173668−326733122218583+102
Qatar 1985Did not qualify4112155+10
Qatar 1986100104-4
Thailand 1988411258-3
United Arab Emirates 1990Group stage5th310226−42101330
Saudi Arabia 1992Did not qualify420294+5
Qatar 1994201113-2
Thailand 1996Group stage9th4103616−10
Qatar 1998Did not qualify311161+5
Vietnam 2000320191+8
United Arab Emirates 2002Quarterfinals6th411279−22200120+12
Japan 2004Group stage10th310234−1211051+4
Singapore 2006Did not qualify2101113+8
Uzbekistan 2008Group stage12th310238−55410182+16
Uzbekistan 2010Did not qualify5113615-9
Iran 2012Group stage13th302145−143011311+2
Thailand 2014Did not qualify4112105+5
India 2016Group stage13th301259−43201113+8
Malaysia 2018Quarterfinals7th4121110312052+3
Bahrain 2020Qualified but cancelled3210111+10
Thailand 2023Group stage12th3012510−54301133+10
Saudi Arabia 2025Did not qualify3201163+13
Saudi Arabia 2026Qualified421165+1
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Finals HistoryYearRoundScoreResult
1990Group A0–3Loss
1–3Loss
1–0Win
1996Group B0–7Loss
2–3Loss
1–4Loss
3–2Win
2002Group A1–4Loss
4–1Win
1–1Draw
Quarterfinals1–3Loss
2004Group C0–1Loss
1–2Loss
2–1Win
2008Group B2–5Loss
0–3Loss
1–0Win
2012Group D2–3Loss
0–0Draw
2–2Draw
2016Group A2–3Loss
3–3Draw
0–3Loss
2018Group C1–0Win
0–0Draw
0–0Draw
Quarterfinals0–1Loss
2023Group D1–1Draw
0–1Loss
4–8Loss
2026Group TBD TBA
TBA
TBA
AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualification HistoryYearRoundScoreResult
1985Group 2A1–2Loss
0–2Loss
1–1Draw
13–0Win
1986Group 40–4Loss
1988Group 31–1Draw
4–0Win
0–2Loss
0–5Loss
1990Group 41–2Loss
2–1Win
1992Group 31–2Loss
2–0Win
6–0Win
0–2Loss
1994Group 30–0Draw
1–3Loss
1998Group 40–1Loss
6–0Win
0–0Draw
2000Group 46–0Win
3–0Win
0–1Loss
2002Group 410–0Win
2–0Win
2004Group 61–1Draw
4–0Win
2006Group G9–0Win
2–3Loss
2008Group C6–0Win
2–2Draw
3–0Win
3–0Win
4–0Win
2010Group D1–6Loss
2–1Win
0–0Draw
0–2Loss
3–6Loss
2014Group A1–1Draw
0–1Loss
8–1Win
1–2Loss
2016Group E5–0Win
0–3Loss
6–0Win
2018Group D3–0Win
2–2Draw
0–0Draw
2020Group B5–0Win
5–0Win
1–1Draw
2023Group D5–0Win
3–0Win
4–1Win
1–2Loss
2025Group D13–0Win
1–0Win
2–3Loss
2026Group D1–1Draw
3–1Win
0–2Loss
2–1Win

SAFF U-17 Championship

SAFF U-17 Championship recordHost/YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGAGDTotal10/107 Titles42325511923+96
NEP 2011Runners-up2nd411274+3
NEP 2013Champions1st431071+6
BAN 2015Runners-up2nd421183+5
NEP 2017Champions1st4400162+14
NEP 2018Semi-Final3rd421163+3
IND 2019Champions1st5500280+28
SRI 2022Champions1st4301104+6
BHU 2023Champions1st4400120+12
BHU 2024Champions1st4400102+8
SRI 2025Champions1st5410154+11
SAFF U-17 Championship HistoryYearRoundScoreResult
2011Group A0–1Loss
5–0Win
Semifinals1–1 (4–2) PDraw
Final1–2Loss
2013Group B4–1Win
2–0Win
Semifinals0–0 (4–3) PDraw
Final1–0Win
2015Group A5–0Win
1–2Loss
Semifinals1–0Win
Final1–1 (2–4) PDraw
2017Group B9–0Win
2–1Win
Semifinals3–0Win
Final2–1Win
2018Group B1–2Loss
4–0Win
Semifinals1–1 (2–4) PDraw
Third place1–0Win
2019Round Robin5–0Win
7–0Win
5–0Win
4–0Win
Final7–0Win
2022Group B3–0Win
1–3Loss
Semifinals2–1Win
Final4–0Win
2023Group A1–0Win
1–0Win
Semifinals8–0Win
Final2–0Win
2024Group A1–0Win
3–0Win
Semifinals4–2Win
Final2–0Win
2025Group B6–0Win
1–0Win
3–2Win
Semifinals3–0Win
Final2–2 (4–1) PDraw

WAFF U-16 Championship

WAFF U-16 Championship recordHost/YearResultPositionPldWD*LGFGAGD
Jordan 2018Runners-up2nd430192+7
WAFF U-16 Championship HistoryYearRoundScoreResult
2018Round Robin4–0Win
1–2Loss
1–0Win
3–0Win

Overall competitive records

|- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|AFC U-17 Asian Cup |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualification |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|SAFF U-17 Championship |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|WAFF U-16 Championship |- !Total |}

Head-to-head record

OpponentPldWDLGFGAGDWin %Total

References

References

  1. "1st Asian U-16 Championship 1985".
  2. Mitra, Atanu. (3 September 2017). "India 13–0 Macau: Looking back at India U-16 team's biggest ever victory". Goal.
  3. "India ransack Brunei in U17 Asian qualifiers opener".
  4. "RUSSIA U-18 BEAT U-17 WORLD CUP TEAM 8-0".
  5. "FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: All you need to know about India U17 Team - Goal.com".
  6. (27 September 2016). "Official Emblem launched for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
  7. (15 September 2016). "AFC U-16 CHAMPIONSHIP INDIA 2016: MEET THE TEAMS". The Asian Football Confederation.
  8. "4th Asian U-16 Championship 1990".
  9. "7th Asian U-16 Championship 1996".
  10. "Asian U-17 Championship 2002".
  11. "Asian U-17 Championship 2004".
  12. "AFC U-17 Championship 2008".
  13. "Asian U-16 Championship 2012".
  14. "Asian U-16 Championship 2016".
  15. "LAST MINUTE PENALTY HELPS INDIA HOLD SAUDI ARABIA".
  16. "DEFIANT INDIA BANK ON NIRAJ'S HEROICS TO HOLD IRAN TO 0-0 DRAW IN AFC U-16 CHAMPIONSHIPS".
  17. "AFC U16 Championship: India qualifies for Quarterfinal for first time in 16 years".
  18. (1 October 2018). "Gritty India suffer 0–1 defeat to Korea, fail to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup". [[The Times of India]].
  19. (18 June 2020). "India U-16 boys clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan". AIFF.
  20. (25 January 2021). "Latest update on AFC Competitions in 2021". [[Asian Football Confederation]].
  21. "AFC U17 cast finalised".
  22. "Asian U-17 Championship 2023".
  23. "India's AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign ends, but the dream lives on".
  24. "Minds without fear, heads held high: India fight till the bitter end against Japan".
  25. (28 May 2013). "SAFF U-16 Championship shifted". Dhaka Tribune.
  26. "2011 SAFF U16 Championship".
  27. "Nepal 0–1 India". GoalNepal.
  28. (18 August 2015). "Bangladesh new SAFF U-16 champion". The Daily Star.
  29. (27 August 2017). "SAFF U-15 Championship 2017: India Colts beat Nepal to be crowned champions". Goal.com.
  30. "WITH 28 GOALS IN 5 GAMES, INDIA LIFT SAFF U-15 TITLE". AIFF.
  31. "SAFF U-17 Championship Review: India win fourth title".
  32. (2022-09-14). "SAFF U-17 Championship: India win title, defeat Nepal 4–0 in final".
  33. "MATCH_REPORT-1-BANGLADESH U-16-vs-INDIA U-16".
  34. "MATCH_REPORT-5-INDIA U-16 -vs-NEPAL U-16".
  35. "MATCH_REPORT-7-INDIA U-16 -vs-MALDIVES U-16".
  36. "MATCH_REPORT-9-INDIA U-16 -vs-BANGLADESH U-16".
  37. "India vanquish Bangladesh to wear the SAFF U17 Championship crown".
  38. "AIFF Youth cup to kick off on May 15".
  39. "Welcome to All India Football Federation".
  40. (21 November 2025). "India U17 men's head coach Bibiano Fernandes names 23-member squad for AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers".
  41. "India U17 men's team to play two friendly matches against Tajikistan in Margao". [[All India Football Federation]].
  42. "1st Asian U-16 Championship 1985".
  43. "2nd Asian U-16 Championship 1986".
  44. "3rd Asian U-16 Championship 1988".
  45. "4th Asian U-16 Championship 1990".
  46. "5th Asian U-16 Championship 1992".
  47. "6th Asian U-16 Championship 1994".
  48. "7th Asian U-16 Championship 1996".
  49. "8th Asian U-16 Championship 1998".
  50. "9th Asian U-16 Championship 2000".
  51. "Asian U-17 Championship 2002".
  52. "Asian U-17 Championship 2004".
  53. "Asian U-17 Championship 2006".
  54. "Asian U-17 Championship 2008".
  55. "Asian U-16 Championship 2010".
  56. "Asian U-16 Championship 2012".
  57. "Asian U-16 Championship 2014".
  58. "Asian U-16 Championship 2016".
  59. "Asian U-16 Championship 2018".
  60. "Asian U-17 Championship 2023".
  61. "Asian U-17 Championship 2025".
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