Kolkata, March 17: After the disappointing end to the senior women’s team’s AFC Asian Cup campaign, the Young Tigresses are about to start a new journey to give Indian football fans a new ray of hope. The AFC U20 Asian Women’s Cup will kick off from April 1, where India are placed in Group C along with five-time champions Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei, and will be played their first match on 2 April against Japan. And the wait is over as the fixtures are out, and kickoff is knocking on the door.

In the other groups, in Group A there is Thailand, China PR, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, and Jordan.

The format of the tournament is as follows: the top two teams from each group will qualify, along with the two best third-placed teams. A total of eight teams will advance to the quarter-finals, and the top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026, which will be held in Poland.

The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 will take place from April 1 to April 19 in Thailand. Matches will be played in Bangkok and Pathum Thani across three stadiums.

After a 20-year wait to qualify for the AFC U20 stage, the Young Tigresses have finally made it, marking a proud moment for Indian football. Now, as they step onto this big stage, it is not just about participation but about, growth, and creating a new chapter. With hope, they carry the dreams of India, ready to prove that the future of Blue Tigress football is bright.