Kolkata: India U20 men’s team head coach Mahesh Gawali has named a 30-player squad for two friendlies against Singapore on August 3 and 6, 2026, in Bengaluru.
The matches, being played as part of the teams’ preparations for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers, will be played behind closed doors at the Centre for Sports Excellence. Both matches will kick off at 19:00 IST.
India and Singapore have only met twice before in official U20 men’s competitions, with India winning both encounters in the AFC Youth Championship — a 4-1 victory in 1966, followed by a penalty shootout triumph in the quarter-finals during their title-winning campaign in 1974. The two sides also played a pair of U19 international friendlies in Goa in 2017, with India winning the first 7-2 before Singapore claimed the second 1-0.
In the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Blue Colts, led by head coach Mahesh Gawali, will face Syria (August 31), Uzbekistan (September 3), and Bangladesh (September 6) in Tashkent.
India will aim to qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time since 2006 when they hosted the tournament. Their best result at the tournament was joint champions alongside Iran in 1974.
In the previous edition (2025), the Blue Colts narrowly missed out on qualification on the basis of goal difference.
India U20 men’s squad for Singapore friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Jaskaran Dub, Pranav Sundarraman, Shuhaid Koya Thangal PS, Suraj Singh Aheibam.
Defenders: Arshvir Singh, Asher Rebello, Ashik Adhikari, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Karish Soram, Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum, Yaipharemba Chingakham.
Midfielders: Aniket Yadav, Dallalmuon Gangte, Danny Meitei Laishram, Levis Zangminlun, Md Arbash, Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam, Rishikanta Meitei Laishram, Samson Ahongshangbam, Shami Singamayum.
Forwards: Agastya Bhat, Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, Hateem Ali, Nirupam Gowda H, Omang Dodum, Prashan Jajo, Rohen Singh Chaphamayum, Vishal Yadav, Yohaan Benjamin.
Head coach: Mahesh Gawali
Assistant coach: MG Ramachandran
Goalkeeping coach: Parshuram Salwadi
Strength and conditioning coach: Anugrah Suresh.
