New Delhi

India were on Thursday drawn in a demanding Group B alongside four-time champions Japan, Australia and debutants Lebanon for the AFC Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup to be held in China.

The Indian side, which qualified for the continental tournament for the first time in 21 years after wins over Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan, will open its campaign against Australia before facing Japan and Lebanon.

The tournament is scheduled to be held from May 1 to 17 in Suzhou, with matches taking place at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium and the Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Centre.

Japan, runners-up in the 2024 edition, earned automatic qualification and remain one of the most successful teams in the competition. They are also former FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions, having won the title in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2010 and 2016.

Australia, who exited in the group stage in 2024, booked their place in the 2026 edition after registering victories over Singapore and Northern Mariana Islands in the qualifiers.

Lebanon will be making their maiden appearance at the tournament, having qualified with wins against Kuwait and IR Iran.

Hosts China headline Group A, which also includes Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Group C features defending world champions DPR Korea along with Korea Republic, Philippines and Chinese Taipei.

The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026.

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Draw:

Group A: China PR (H), Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar
Group B: Japan, Australia, India, Lebanon
Group C: DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Philippines, Chinese Taipei