India U17 Team Prepares for AFC Asian Cup with UAE Friendlies

The Indian U17 football team will face the United Arab Emirates in two friendly matches, scheduled for April 17 and 21 in Samut Prakan, Thailand. These games are part of the preparations for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026. According to the All India Football Federation, the matches will be held without spectators.

Timings for both matches have been set at 16:30 IST at the Windmill Football Club, near Bangkok. The 24-member squad, known as the Blue Colts, landed in Thailand on April 15. Previously, they held friendlies against teams from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea and continued their training in Kolkata.

India is grouped with Australia, Uzbekistan, and DPR Korea in Group D for the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Jeddah. The squad's lineup includes key players such as goalkeepers Alok Nishad and Rajrup Sarkar, with a strong defense and midfield led by several promising talents.