The Indian Under-20 men’s team’s preparations for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers are underway in Bengaluru, with the camp commencing with trials on June 11, at The Sports School and the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence.

    A total of 102 players from across the country have participated in the trials since the camp began. Following the evaluation process, 26 players are currently training with the U-20 men’s national team, led by head coach Mahesh Gawli.

    Fifteen players have been temporarily released from the camp at the request of their clubs to participate in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Tour.

    The group comprises eight players from Punjab FC, six from Bengaluru FC, and one from FC Goa. They will rejoin the national team camp upon their return from Japan next week.

    Further evaluations will take place before the Blue Colts’ preliminary squad for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers is finalised and announced.

    India has been drawn in Group B of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and Bangladesh. The Qualifiers will be played in a centralised single round-robin format in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 31 to September 6.

    The eight group winners and the seven best second-placed teams across all groups will qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027.

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    Published on Jul 15, 2026

    Published on 15 July 2026 by sportstar

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