India’s U-20 women’s football team has scripted history by qualifying for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in two decades, topping their group in the qualifiers with an unbeaten record and a flawless defensive display.

The Young Tigresses sealed their spot in the 2026 tournament with a 1–0 victory over hosts Myanmar in Yangon, adding to an earlier 0–0 draw against Indonesia and a dominant 7–0 win over Turkmenistan. Remarkably, the team did not concede a single goal in the entire qualification campaign.

In recognition of the achievement, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a cash reward of USD 25,000 (approximately ₹22 lakh) for the squad. AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey praised the team’s resilience and the long-term developmental work that contributed to the success.

The milestone comes after years of investment in grassroots football, with initiatives like the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues — which expanded participation from 6,305 players in the 2023–24 season to 8,658 in 2024–25. The U-20 side has also benefitted from extended training camps since December 2024, international friendlies in Uzbekistan, and participation in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Türkiye.

The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be held in Thailand from April 1 to 18, featuring 12 teams. The top four teams will earn qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. India, making their first appearance in the tournament since 2006, will aim to continue their remarkable run and challenge Asia’s best for a place on the world stage.