Ishfaq Ahmed names 23-member squad for AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India U17 men's national team head coach Ishfaq Ahmed named a 23-member squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers on Sunday. The tournament will be held from October 23 to 27 in Thailand.

Indian team is placed in Group D, where they will meet Brunei Darussalam (October 23), and Turkmenistan (October 25) and host Thailand (October 27).

The AFC U17 Asian Cup's qualification phase has 10 groups. The group winners and the five best second-placed teams will join hosts Saudi Arabia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025.

Indian team fresh from their triumph at the SAFF U17 Championship last month will be looking to qualify for their fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament which will held next year from 3–20 April.

The top scorer for India at the SAFF Championship, Hemneichung Lunkim, will again lead the attacking line of the Indian team at these qualifiers against tricky opponents like Thailand and Turkmenistan.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Aheibam Suraj Singh, Rohit, Nandan Roy.

Defenders: Karish Soram, Mohamed Kaif, Chingtham Renin Singh, Brahmacharimayum Sumit Sharma, Thoungamba Usham Singh, Yaipharemba Chingakham, Jodric Abranches.

Midfielders: Abdul Salha Sheergojri, Ahongshangbam Samson, Kh Azlaan Shah, Levis Zangminlun, Mahmad Sami, Manbhakupar Malngiang, Md Arbash, Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh, Vishal Yadav, Ngamgouhou Mate.

Forwards: Bharat Lairenjam, Prem Hansdak, Hemneichung Lunkim.

Head coach: Ishfaq Ahmed

Assistant coach: Ramachandran Govindaraju Mileswamy

Goalkeeper coach: Zakeer Hussain Mohammed

Strength and conditioning coach: Chelston Pinto