First Time In 20 Years! India Qualify For AFC U20 Asian Cup

Last Updated:September 07, 2026, 06:16 IST

India finished second in Group B with 6 points and qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament after 20 years as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups.

India qualify for AFC U20 Asian Cup. (Picture Credit: X/@IndianFootball)

India’s two-decade-long wait to play in the AFC U20 Asian Cup ended on Sunday (September 6) as the Blue Colts qualified for the main tournament after securing a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in their third and final group-stage match in Tashkent.

The win over Bangladesh was India’s second victory in the qualifying tournament and it took their tally to six points from three matches. However, they had to wait for the result of the Syria vs Uzbekistan match, which was played later on Sunday, to know their fate.

With Syria suffering a 0-3 defeat to Uzbekistan, India finished second in Group B and qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament after 20 years as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups.

India last played in the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament in 2006.

Uzbekistan also qualified as group winners with nine points. Syria finished third with three points, while bottom-placed Bangladesh were relegated to the Development Phase after losing all three of their matches.

The main tournament will be held in China from March 24 to April 10, 2027.

In the must-win match against Bangladesh, Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Vishal Yadav doubled India’s advantage with an acrobatic finish on the hour mark. Substitute Md Arbash then sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 79th minute.

After India confirmed their place in the main tournament, the young Indian players celebrated the achievement by dancing outside the team’s hotel.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) also took to X to share a video of the Indian players celebrating their qualification for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament.

Here’s a look:

In the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, India defeated Syria 1-0 in their opening Group B match at Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Monday (August 31), but suffered a 0-4 defeat against Uzbekistan in their second group match on Thursday (September 3).

India needed to beat Bangladesh in their final group-stage match and hope that Syria failed to defeat Uzbekistan to confirm their qualification for the main tournament.

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When did India last qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup before their recent qualification?

India last participated in the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament in 2006, ending a two-decade wait with their recent qualification in 2026.

How did India qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament in 2026?

India qualified by finishing second in Group B with six points after a 3-0 win over Bangladesh, securing their spot as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups.

Which players scored for India in their decisive 3-0 victory against Bangladesh?

Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring, followed by Vishal Yadav, and substitute Md Arbash sealed the victory for India against Bangladesh.

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Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More

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