How Much Reward Did AIFF Announce for India U-20 Women’s Team After AFC Women’s Asia Cup Qualification?

New Delhi, India – The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced a $25,000 cash incentive for the Under-20 women’s football team, recognizing their historic qualification for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026. This marks India’s first appearance in the tournament since 2006.

Unbeaten Campaign in Qualifiers

The U-20 women’s side secured their spot by topping Group D with seven points in the qualifiers held in Yangon, Myanmar. Their campaign concluded with a decisive 1-0 victory over hosts Myanmar on Sunday, thanks to a 27th-minute goal from Pooja, who finished a counter-attacking move she initiated.

India’s journey to qualification was impressive, as they remained unbeaten throughout the qualifiers and did not concede a single goal. Their path included a 0-0 draw with Indonesia and a dominant 7-0 thrashing of Turkmenistan. The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in Thailand in April 2026.

Sustained Development Efforts Bearing Fruit

The AIFF attributed this significant achievement to “sustained planning and developmental efforts over the past few years” in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India. The U20 women’s team has been in a dedicated training camp since December 2024, accumulating 135 days of preparation. This intensive program included participation in the Pink Ladies Youth Cup in Turkey, where they secured victories against teams like Hong Kong and Jordan. Prior to the qualifiers, many U20 players also trained with the senior national team and played two friendlies against Uzbekistan U20s in Tashkent (1-1 and 4-1).

Grassroots Growth Fueling Future Success

The AIFF also highlighted the impact of grassroots initiatives like the ASMITA Women’s Football Leagues, which have bolstered the talent pipeline. These leagues have contributed to a “232% increase” in registered women footballers over the past year. The ASMITA Football Leagues are set to continue in the 2025-26 season, with the U13 ASMITA Football Leagues 2025-26 having commenced last month. This U13 initiative will feature 50 tournaments across as many venues, engaging approximately 8,000 players from about 400 teams across 26 states, laying a strong foundation for future generations of Indian women footballers.

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