Heartbreak but history for India’s Young Tigresses as FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup dream ends

Tears rolled down faces, players collapsed to the turf and silence filled the Indian dugout at the Suzhou Sports Centre Stadium after the final whistle confirmed the end of a historic journey for India’s Young Tigresses.

India’s dream of qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup ended with a 0-3 defeat against hosts China PR in the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 on Monday, leaving the squad just one win away from creating history.

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“It is hard for me to speak because we did not expect this result,” India defender Abhista Basnett said after the match.

“We came into the match with a different mentality, but football is like that sometimes. Still, I am happy and proud of the way we performed throughout the tournament and the unity we showed as a team.”

Despite the heartbreak, the campaign marked India’s best-ever performance at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, with the Young Tigresses becoming the first Indian side to reach the quarter-finals at the tournament.

Head coach Pamela Conti admitted China were the better side but expressed disappointment over the timing of the goals India conceded.

“It was a match where China were superior to us. They had more strength and deserved to win. But what really frustrates me is that we conceded in the 45th minute and again at the 90th minute.”

China opened the scoring in the 38th minute before doubling the lead through a stoppage-time penalty just before halftime. India continued to fight after the break but conceded once more in the final minute of regulation time.

Conti, however, insisted the tournament would remain a landmark moment for Indian women’s football, especially given the quality of opposition India faced throughout the campaign, including semi-finalists Australia, Japan and China.

“I think we have to be proud of these players. Personally, I am very proud of the tournament we had. We played against three of the four semi-finalists, including China, at their home.”

India had returned to the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup after a gap of 21 years and scripted history by defeating Lebanon 4-0 in the group stage to seal a quarter-final spot.

That victory had brought the team within touching distance of becoming the first Indian women’s side to qualify for a FIFA World Cup on merit.

For 15-year-old Abhista, the pain of the defeat also reflected how much the squad had achieved together over the past year.

“We worked together for a long time, and our bond became like a family. Now we are looking forward to our next journey and to performing even better.”

Conti also highlighted the importance of exposure at the continental level, especially with India fielding one of the youngest squads in the tournament. Fourteen players from the current squad will still be eligible for the next AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in 2027.

“This is a very young team, and they have a lot to give. But the most important thing is that they now understand the level here.”

For the players, the campaign may have ended in heartbreak, but the belief inside the camp remains strong that this is only the beginning of a bigger future for Indian women’s football.

“It is not the end. We just want to keep working harder so that next time we can turn the dream into reality,” Abhista said.