NEW DELHI — In a historic moment for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a reward of USD 25,000 for the U20 Women’s National Team, celebrating their spectacular qualification for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup. This marks the team’s return to the continental stage after nearly two decades, with the last appearance dating back to 2006.
The Young Tigresses earned their spot in style, remaining undefeated throughout their Group D qualification campaign. Their journey saw them play out a goalless draw against Indonesia, followed by a commanding 7-0 victory over Turkmenistan, before a nail-biting 1-0 win against hosts Myanmar in front of a packed stadium in Yangon. The team’s defence was particularly impressive, keeping a clean sheet throughout the entire campaign.
This success is no accident but a direct result of the meticulous planning and developmental efforts put in place by the AIFF over the past few years. In a concerted effort with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the federation has focused on strengthening grassroots and youth structures in women’s football.
A flagship initiative, the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues, has been instrumental in this growth. From 2023 to 2025, 155 leagues were conducted across the country for U13, U15, and U17 age groups. The number of junior players participating in these leagues has surged from 6,305 in 2023-24 to 8,658 in 2024-25, and with the 2025-26 season already underway, around 8,000 players are expected to compete. These efforts have led to a remarkable 232% increase in the number of registered women footballers in India over the last year.
The U20 team’s journey to this qualification was also marked by extensive preparation. They have been in a training camp since December 2024, a total of 135 days. Their schedule included participation in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkiye, where they defeated teams like Hong Kong and Jordan, and two friendlies against Uzbekistan U20s in Tashkent. Some of the U20 players also had the invaluable opportunity to train with the senior team.
Looking ahead, the AIFF is committed to providing the team with the best possible preparation for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in Thailand in April 2026. The federation plans to arrange extended training camps and high-quality international exposure to ensure the team is ready to compete against Asia’s best. They are also actively seeking to arrange preparatory matches against quality opponents to further hone the team’s skills.
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