Get Indian football team schedule and live match times

The AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers kick off on Wednesday, with the Indian football team aiming to make history by reaching the main draw of the continental showpiece for the very first time.

Placed in Group H, India will face Bahrain, hosts Qatar and Brunei Darussalam, with all matches to be played in Doha.

Only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams from the 11 groups will qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, scheduled between January 7 and 25 in Saudi Arabia.

India, coached by Naushad Moosa, enter the qualifiers looking to build on valuable experience gained earlier this month in two closed-door friendlies against Iraq’s U23 team.

Despite losing 2-1 and 3-1, Moosa is confident about his side’s prospects.

“The key is to take it one match at a time. The first game (against Bahrain) will be very important because it will help us understand where we currently stand. Getting those three points will be crucial,” Moosa said.

AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Indian squad

Goalkeeper : Sahil, Mohd Arbaz, Dipesh Chauhan

: Sahil, Mohd Arbaz, Dipesh Chauhan Defenders : Bikash Yumnam, Pramveer, Muhammed Saheef Areesinte Purakkal, Harsh Arun Palande, Subham Bhattacharya, Ricky Meetei Haobam

: Bikash Yumnam, Pramveer, Muhammed Saheef Areesinte Purakkal, Harsh Arun Palande, Subham Bhattacharya, Ricky Meetei Haobam Midfielders : Soham Naveen Varshneya, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Sanan K, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Vinith Venkatesh

: Soham Naveen Varshneya, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Sanan K, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Macarton Louis Nickson, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Vinith Venkatesh Forwards : Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Muhammed Suhail, Sreekuttan MS, Sahil Harijan

: Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Muhammed Suhail, Sreekuttan MS, Sahil Harijan Head Coach: Naushad Moosa

Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the tournament as the host nation. A total of 44 teams, divided into 11 groups of four each, will be competing for the remaining 15 spots during the Qualifiers.

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