In the final draw conducted in Bangkok on Monday, India has been placed in Group C alongside Japan, Australia, and Chinese Taipei for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026.
A Challenging Road Ahead for the Young Tigresses
After a 20-year hiatus, the Young Tigresses are set to kick off their campaign against Japan, followed by matches against Australia and Chinese Taipei, as reported by the AIFF. Japan, a formidable opponent, is a six-time champion of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup and claimed the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup title in 2018, finishing as runners-up in 2024. Australia secured third place in the 2024 tournament, while Chinese Taipei was eliminated in the group stage.
Tournament Structure and Group Details
The tournament will feature hosts Thailand in Group A, competing against China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. Group B includes South Korea, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan, and Jordan.
Venues for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup
The AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Thailand 2026 will take place across three venues: Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok, Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, and Pathum Thani Stadium.
Seeding and Draw Process Explained
The final draw's pot allocations were determined using a points system based on the teams' rankings from the last three editions of the tournament. The points were weighted as follows: 100% for the latest edition (2024), 50% for the second-last (2019), and 25% for the third-last (2017). India, having not qualified for the previous three editions, was placed in Pot 4.
Pathway to the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will earn a spot in the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Poland 2026, where DPR Korea currently holds the title.
Final Draw Results
The final draw results are as follows: Group A: Thailand, China PR, Vietnam, Bangladesh; Group B: DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, Jordan; Group C: Japan, Australia, Chinese Taipei, India.
