Young Colts On The Move: India U-17 Football Team Faces Qatar In Key Warm-Up Games

As the countdown to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 begins, India’s young football brigade is entering a decisive phase of preparation. The India U-17 men’s team , popularly known as the Blue Colts , is set to play two crucial international friendlies against Qatar in Doha on April 25 and 28 , fixtures that could shape the team’s readiness for the continental stage.

These matches, though scheduled behind closed doors , carry significant weight. They are the final opportunities for head coach Bibiano Fernandes to fine-tune combinations, assess player form, and build tactical clarity before the tournament kicks off.

India’s preparations have already been underway in Thailand, where the team faced the United Arab Emirates in a series of friendlies. A narrow but confidence-boosting 1-0 victory in the first match has given the squad early momentum. With one more game left in Thailand, the focus is now shifting towards Doha , where the intensity is expected to rise.

The entire 24-member squad will travel to Qatar, reflecting the management’s intent to evaluate every available option before trimming the squad to the final 23 players for the Asian Cup. This phase is not just about results, but about building team cohesion , sharpening match awareness, and preparing mentally for high-pressure encounters.

Following the Qatar friendlies, the team will head to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia , on April 30 , the final stop before the real test begins.

Placed in Group D , India faces a challenging path in the tournament. The Blue Colts will open their campaign against Australia on May 6 , followed by matches against Uzbekistan on May 10 and DPR Korea on May 13 . Each of these opponents brings a distinct style and competitive edge, making India’s preparatory matches all the more critical.

For a team striving to make its mark in Asian football, these upcoming friendlies are more than just warm-up games, they are a proving ground . The journey from Thailand to Doha and then to Saudi Arabia is not just geographical, but symbolic of a young squad steadily building belief, discipline, and ambition .