India one win shy of securing FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 spot on merit after entering Asian Cup quarterfinals

The Indian women's football team are just a win away from securing a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 spot on merit after the Young Tigresses trounced Lebanon to advance into the quarterfinals of AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in China on Friday. The semifinalists in the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 to be held in Morocco later in the year.

Although India have featured in a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2022 by the virtue of being the hosts, but have never qualified on merit. Having lost to Japan and Australia earlier in Group B, it was a do-or-die situation for the Indian women colts in Suzhou. The girls stepped up when needed as they defeated Lebanon 4-0 with Pritika Barman scoring a brace.

This was India's first win and first goals in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005 and marked their first-ever qualification to the knockout stage at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup. In women’s football, it is India’s first Asian Cup knockout stage appearance since the AFC U19 Women’s Championship 2004, when the team also reached the quarterfinals.

Although India finished third in Group A with three points, but qualified as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand. Knowing that a win wo

Pritika Barman starred for the Young Tigresses with a brace, while Alva Devi Senjam and Joya also found the net as India registered their first win and first goals in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup since 2005. It marked India’s first-ever qualification to the knockout stage at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup.

In the quarter-final, India will face hosts China, who topped Group A with nine points, at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium on Monday, May 11, at 17:00 IST. The match will be streamed live on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube Channel. India made the last eight as one of the two best third-placed teams alongside Thailand. India finished the group stage with three points and a goal difference of -1, significantly higher than Philippines' -13 in Group C.

Knowing only a win would keep their qualification hopes alive, India, who made only one change from their last game, with Anushka Kumari replacing Pearl Fernandes, began with intent and took the lead as early as the sixth minute.

Divyani Linda launched a long ball forward from right-back, which Pritika controlled brilliantly before twisting past Lebanon defender Joya Bou Assaf. The winger then unleashed a superb left-footed strike beyond goalkeeper Marie Joe Chebly to hand India the perfect start.

The early breakthrough settled the Young Tigresses, who quickly established control of proceedings with confident passing and aggressive pressing in the attacking third.

India nearly doubled their lead moments later when Anushka Kumari found space inside the box, but her effort was well saved by Marie. Pritika continued to trouble the Lebanese defence and came close to grabbing her second in the 16th minute, only to be denied again by the goalkeeper.

Lebanon struggled to cope with India’s movement in wide areas, while the Indian midfield maintained pressure through quick transitions and intelligent positioning.

The second goal finally arrived in the 35th minute. Redima Devi Chingkhamayum threaded a pass towards Alva Devi Senjam at the edge of the box, and the forward surged past Gianna Frangieh before calmly slotting the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper to give India a deserved 2-0 advantage at half-time.

India resumed the second half with the same attacking intensity and continued to push Lebanon deeper into their own half. The Young Tigresses controlled possession for long spells and looked dangerous whenever they advanced through the flanks.

Their dominance was rewarded again in the 72nd minute through a moment of individual brilliance from Joya. Receiving the ball on the left wing, the substitute displayed excellent close control before cutting inside, skipping past two defenders and curling a fine right-footed strike into the net to make it 3-0.

India sealed an outstanding performance five minutes from time as Pritika completed her brace. Breaking forward from the right wing, she drove into the penalty area unchallenged before calmly finishing past Marie to put the result beyond doubt.

The final whistle confirmed a historic evening for the Young Tigresses, who secured their first victory in the competition in over two decades.