The Indian under-17 team plays a crucial group-stage match against Uzbekistan on Saturday, with its qualification hopes for the U-17 FIFA World Cup hanging by a thread.
The Blue Colts were handed a major boost for qualification after the Democratic Republic of Korea withdrew from the Asian Cup. However, they lost their opening match 0-4 to Australia, suffering a dent in their aspirations.
The top eight teams at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 will qualify for the World Cup, with Qatar already earning qualification as host. And Bibiano Fernandes’ boys still have hope to make it to the World Cup for the first time on merit.
How can India qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup?
Scenario 1: India wins against Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan will have to lose to Australia. But if Uzbekistan beats Australia, all three teams will end up with three points each. Then the following criteria will be considered.
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams.
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group.
- Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
- Drawing of lots.
Scenario 2: India draws with Uzbekistan:
Then, Uzbekistan will have to lose to Australia by at least five goals. If Uzbekistan loses by four goals, then the following conditions will be considered:
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group.
- Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
- Drawing of lots.
Published on May 09, 2026