India national under-17 football team

India has participated for the first time in FIFA U-17 World Cup as hosts in the 2017 edition of the tournament. This was the first time ever[2] that a team representing India would participate in the finals of a FIFA organized world tournament. India was placed in group A along with, United States, Ghana and Columbia. On 6 October 2017, India played their first ever match in FIFA-U17 World Cup history against United States in front of 47,000 spectators. But unfortunately, India lost the match by 3–0. India played their Second match against Colombia. In 82nd minute Jeakson Singh Thounaojam became the first Indian goalscorer in any FIFA tournament. In the third match of group stage, India faced Ghana where they lost 4–0, finishing bottom of the group A.[3] India also failed to qualify for 2019 edition when they lost by 1–0 in the Quarter final match against South Korea at the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship.[4]

The AFC U-16 Championship is the top level tournament for under-16 football teams in Asia and began in 1985.[5] India participated in the tournament for the first time in 1990. They were knocked-out of the tournament in the group stage, finishing third in their four-team group with one against Jordan.[6] The team qualified again for the tournament in 1996 where they finished last in their group which included Bahrain, China, Iran, and Thailand. The team lost three of their four matches, with their sole victory coming against China.[7] Dipayan Bose scored 12 goals in the match most by any player.

India qualified again for the tournament in 2002, where they reached the quarter-final round, in their best result to date. The team took on South Korea in the quarter-finals but lost 3–1, and thus failed to advance further.[8] Following the 2002 tournament, India qualified for the next tournament in Japan. Two defeats and one victory in the group stage saw India finish third in their group, and were knocked out from the tournament.[9]

After failing to qualify for 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, India qualified for the 2008 edition. Two defeats before a sole victory over Indonesia saw India once again make it no further than the group stage.[10] The same result followed in 2012, only this time with no wins in the group stage.[11]

India, for the seventh time, participated in the tournament in 2016 with the nation hosting the tournament. Despite home advantage, India once again could not make it beyond the group stage and finished last in their group which consisted of themselves, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates.[12]

India qualified for 2018 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualification round. India defeated Palestine, 3–0, then played a 2–2 draw against Nepal and finally qualified for the 2018 edition when they played a goalless draw against the defending champion Iraq. India played its group stage matches against Vietnam, Iran and Indonesia at the 2018 edition in Malaysia. They defeated Vietnam by 1–0, then held Iran to a goal less draw and finally qualified for the knock out stages by holding Indonesia to a 0–0 draw. In the quarter finals they were defeated 1–0 by heavy weights South Korea, ending their run in the tournament.[4]

India has also qualified for the 2020 AFC U-16 Championship by participating in the qualifying round. In the first game they defeated Turkmenistan 5–0. In the second game also they defeated Bahrain by an identical score line. They finally qualified for the finals by holding Uzbekistan to a 1–1 draw. India was clubbed with Korea Republic, Australia and Uzbekistan in Group C for the tournament.[13] But the tournament was called of due to COVID-19.[14]

India qualified for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup for third consecutive time. India defeated Maldives by 5–0, Kuwait by 3–0 and Myanmar by 4–1 but fell to Saudi Arabia by 1–2. India qualified as second placed best ranked teams making their 9th appearance in the tournament.[15][16]

In 2009, the SAFF U-16 Championship was launched.[17] India participated in the first edition of the tournament in 2011. After an opening day surprise defeat to Pakistan, India qualified for the next round after defeating the Maldives 5–0. India then made it to the final, defeating Nepal on penalties, but again lost to Pakistan in the final 2–1.[18] India fared much better in the 2013 edition, finishing first in their group of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, before defeating Afghanistan in the semi-final on penalties. In the final, India defeated Nepal 1–0 to win the tournament for the first time.[19]

As reigning champions, India entered the 2015 edition of the tournament with a 5–0 victory over Sri Lanka. India then suffered a 2–1 defeat to Bangladesh to finish second in the group, and but still qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, India once again defeated Nepal 1–0, but lost to Bangladesh in the final on penalties.[20]

At the 2017 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Maldives and Nepal by 9–0 and 2–1 respectively. In the semi-final they defeated Bhutan by 3–0 and entered to the final and faced Nepal again and defeated them by 2–1 to become SAFF champion for the second time after 2013.[21]

2019 edition of the tournament was their third title. In this edition the tournament was played in round robin, thus India played against all other teams and managed to win all their matches without a goal conceded. In the final they faced Nepal whom they easily defeated by 7−0 margin, thus scoring 28 goals in 5 matches, becoming champions for the third time.[22]

2022 edition was their fourth title. In this edition, India was clubbed with Bhutan and Nepal. India began their SAFF campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Bhutan but surprisingly lost to Nepal by 1–3. Though, India qualified for semi finals where they defeated Bangladesh by 1–2 score line. India again faced Nepal in the finals where now they defeated Nepal with 4-0.[23][24]

At the 2023 edition India entered into semi-final, defeating Nepal and Bangladesh by the scoreline of 1–0 in both games.[25][26] In the semi-final they defeated Maldives by 8–0 and entered to the final and faced Bangladesh.[27] India defeated them by 2–0 to become SAFF champion for the fifth time.[28]

The AIFF Youth Cup was first competed for in 2016. It was organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as a preparatory tournament for the India under-17 team for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The first tournament was held from 15 May to 25 May 2016 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, Goa.[29] A total of five teams participated in the tournament after being invited by the All India Football Federation. The final was won 2–1 by South Korea over the United States.[30]

As of 30 May 2023

The following 23 players were named in the squad for the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup.[31]

Caps and goals are correct as of 23 June 2023, after the match against  Japan.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Sahil Poonia	(2006-03-06) 6 March 2006	17	0	Bengaluru
13	1GK	Julfikar Gazi	(2006-05-06) 6 May 2006	1	0	Bengal FA
21	1GK	Pranav Sundarraman	(2007-01-21) 21 January 2007	0	0	Meghalaya FA
2	2DF	Ricky Meetei Haobam	(2006-08-30) 30 August 2006	16	3	Bengaluru
3	2DF	Surajkumar Singh Ngangbam	(2006-06-28) 28 June 2006	7	0	Bengaluru
4	2DF	Mukul Panwar	(2007-07-07) 7 July 2007	13	2	NorthEast United
12	2DF	Malemngamba Singh Thokchom	(2006-09-18) 18 September 2006	18	3	Bengaluru
20	2DF	Dhanajit Ashangbam	(2006-01-17) 17 January 2006	0	0	Manipur FA
22	2DF	Pramveer Singh	(2007-06-20) 20 June 2007	2	0	Punjab
5	3MF	Prachit Vishwas Gaonkar	(2006-05-13) 13 May 2006	1	0	Goa
6	3MF	Gurnaj Singh Grewal	(2007-01-09) 9 January 2007	17	0	East Bengal
7	3MF	Korou Singh Thingujam (Captain)	(2006-12-03) 3 December 2006	17	6	Kerala Blasters
8	3MF	Akash Tirkey	(2006-09-19) 19 September 2006	15	1	Minerva Academy
10	3MF	Vanlalpeka Guite	(2006-10-23) 23 October 2006	17	5	East Bengal
11	3MF	Lalpekhlua	(2007-04-30) 30 April 2007	17	4	Bengaluru
16	3MF	Omang Dodum	(2006-06-24) 24 June 2006	2	0	Punjab
17	3MF	Danny Meitei Laishram	(2007-11-20) 20 November 2007	9	1	NorthEast United
19	3MF	Faizan Waheed	(2006-09-21) 21 September 2006	16	0	J&K FA
23	3MF	Rohen Singh Chaphamayum	(2006-01-11) 11 January 2006	1	0	East Bengal
9	4FW	Thanglalsoun Gangte	(2006-04-22) 22 April 2006	17	9	Chennaiyin FC
14	4FW	Gogocha Chungkham	(2006-01-27) 27 January 2006	3	0	Classic FA
15	4FW	Lemmet Tangvah	(2007-01-27) 27 January 2007	0	0	Chandigarh FA
18	4FW	Shashwat Panwar	(2006-05-28) 28 May 2006	6	3	Bengaluru

As of 2 September 2023

The following 22 players are named in the squad for the 2023 SAFF U-16 Championship.[32]

Caps and goals are correct as of 2 September 2023, after the match against  Bangladesh.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Rohit	(2008-01-01) 1 January 2008	0	0
13	1GK	Aheibam Suraj Singh	(2008-02-18) 18 February 2008	1	0	Classic FA
23	1GK	Aarush Hari	(2008-12-13) 13 December 2008	0	0	Reliance Foundation
2	2DF	Karish Soram	(2008-02-08) 8 February 2008	1	0	Punjab FC
4	2DF	Mohammed Kaif (Captain)	(2008-01-01) 1 January 2008	1	0	Mumbai City FC
5	2DF	Abhijit Ngariyambam	(2008-12-27) 27 December 2008	1	0	Techtro Swades
12	2DF	Renin Singh Chingtham	(2008-01-17) 17 January 2008	1	0	Bengaluru
17	2DF	Vumlenlal Hangshing	(2008-08-20) 20 August 2008	1	0	Classic FA
21	2DF	Yaipharemba Chingakhang	(2008-02-06) 6 February 2008	1	0	Classic FA
3	3MF	Abdul Salha Sheergojri	(2008-03-12) 12 March 2008	0	0	Jammu & Kashmir FA
6	3MF	Mate Ngamgouhou	(2008-05-03) 3 May 2008	1	0	Classic FA
7	3MF	Manbhakupar Malngiang	(2008-01-05) 5 January 2008	1	0	Garhwal FC
8	3MF	Levis Zangminlun	(2008-01-07) 7 January 2008	1	0	Sreenidi Deccan
10	3MF	Md Arbash	(2008-09-29) 29 September 2008	1	0	Classic FA
14	3MF	Vishal Yadav	(2008-01-01) 1 January 2008	1	0
15	3MF	Kangujam Yoheinba Meitei	(2008-04-03) 3 April 2008	0	0	Minerva Academy
16	3MF	Newton Singh Ningthoujam	(2008-02-28) 28 February 2008	0	0	Bengaluru FC
18	3MF	Bobby Singh	(2008-01-13) 13 January 2008	0	0	Chandigarh FA
22	3MF	Thougamba Singh Usham	(2008-06-24) 24 June 2008	1	1	Punjab FC
9	4FW	Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjan	(2008-12-23) 23 December 2008	1	0	Classic FA
11	4FW	Bharat Lairenjam	(2008-04-03) 3 April 2008	1	0	Classic FA
19	4FW	Aiborlang Kharthangmaw	(2008-07-27) 27 July 2008	0	0	Sreenidi Deccan
20	4FW	Samson Ahongshangban	(2008-12-23) 23 December 2008	1	0	Classic FA

FIFA U-17 World Cup

• 2017 FIFA U-17 WC Squad

AFC U-16 Championship squads

• 2018 AFC U-16 Championship squad
• 2016 AFC U-16 Championship squad
• 2012 AFC U-16 Championship squad

WAFF U-16 Championship record Host/Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA GD 2018 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 0 1 9 2 +7

WAFF U-16 Championship History Year Round Score Result 2018 Round Robin India  4–0  Jordan Win India  1–2  Japan Loss India  1–0  Iraq Win India  3–0  Yemen Win

*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty kicks. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicates 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.