Sports
India U‑17 women’s football team to host Philippines for two friendlies in Goa
Photo: press release

India U‑17 women’s football team to host Philippines for two friendlies in Goa

The India U‑17 women’s side will face the Philippines in two preparatory matches in Goa on Sept 26 and 29, 2026, as part of their build‑up for the AFC U‑17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that the India U‑17 women’s national team will play two international friendly matches against the Philippines women’s side in Goa later this month. The fixtures are scheduled for 26 September and 29 September 2026, with the exact stadium yet to be announced. Both teams will use the games to fine‑tune tactics, assess squad depth and gain valuable match practice ahead of the AFC U‑17 Women’s Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign, which begins early next year. The Indian squad, coached by former international player and youth development specialist, will feature a blend of emerging talent from the National Football Development Programme and players who have impressed in the recent U‑17 Women’s National Championship.

The Philippines, who have been steadily improving their women’s football programme, will travel to India for the first time since their senior side faced the Indian women’s team in 2022. The two‑match series marks only the second encounter between the two nations at the U‑17 level, offering a rare competitive platform for both sides. The AIFF has indicated that the matches will be streamed live on its official digital channels, allowing fans across the sub‑continent to watch the upcoming generation of Indian women footballers in action.

ALSO READ | Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman lean on each other as they chase US Open glory

Video: India U17 women’s team will play two friendly matches against Philippines in Goa on Sept 26 and 29
Watch on YouTube ↗
Why This Matters

These friendlies are crucial for India’s preparation because the AFC U‑17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers will determine which teams advance to the 2028 FIFA U‑17 Women’s World Cup. A strong showing in the qualifiers can boost the development pipeline, attract greater sponsorship, and inspire more girls to take up the sport in a country where women's football is still gaining traction. For the Philippines, the matches provide exposure to higher‑level competition and an opportunity to benchmark their progress against a traditionally stronger South Asian side. Successful performances by either team could also influence future bilateral youth exchanges and joint training camps, strengthening regional ties within the Asian Football Confederation. The outcomes will be closely monitored by scouts, coaches and the AIFF’s technical committee as they finalize the final 23‑player roster for the upcoming qualifiers.

Reporting based on verified dispatches from Arunfoot. View primary release ↗
Stay Connected
Follow SamacharDaily on Instagram

Visual explainers, infographics, and daily news briefings on your feed.

More in Sports