AIFF Rewards U20 Women's Team for Historic AFC Qualification

Historic Achievement for India's U20 Women's Team

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a reward of $25,000 for the U20 Women’s National Team in recognition of their remarkable achievement in qualifying for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years. This announcement was made on August 10.

The last qualification for this prestigious tournament occurred in 2006.

During their qualification campaign in Group D, the U20 women showcased impressive performances, remaining unbeaten. They played to a draw against Indonesia (0-0), secured a dominant victory over Turkmenistan (7-0), and triumphed over the hosts Myanmar (1-0) in front of a packed audience at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, without conceding a single goal.

The team's success is attributed to extensive planning and developmental efforts over recent years, reflecting a long-term vision and structured preparation at the grassroots level.

In partnership with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the AIFF has implemented various initiatives aimed at bolstering grassroots and youth structures in women's football.

One notable initiative is the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues, which successfully conducted 155 leagues nationwide from 2023 to 2025 across U13, U15, and U17 categories. The 2023-24 season saw participation from 6,305 junior players, which increased to 8,658 in 2024-25.

The ASMITA Football Leagues will continue into the 2025-26 season, with the U13 leagues commencing last month. This season will feature 50 tournaments across various venues, involving around 8,000 players from approximately 400 teams across 26 states.

Thanks to these initiatives, the number of registered female footballers in India has surged by 232% over the past year. The U20 women have been in training camps since December 2024 and participated in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkiye, achieving victories against teams like Hong Kong and Jordan.

Prior to the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, several U20 players trained alongside the senior team and faced Uzbekistan U20s in two friendly matches in Tashkent, ending in a draw (1-1) and a win (4-1). Overall, the U20 women’s team has trained together for 135 days since December 2024.

Looking forward, the AIFF is dedicated to providing optimal preparation for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, which will take place in Thailand in April 2026. The Federation plans to collaborate with all stakeholders to facilitate extended training camps and ensure high-quality international exposure for the team.

The AIFF aims not only to enhance the players' physical and mental fitness through training but also to prepare them to compete against the best teams in Asia. They are also exploring opportunities to arrange matches against quality opponents for further preparation.