India U-23 Football: AIFF Unveils Long-Term Strategy for Success

India U-23 Football: AIFF Unveils Long-Term Strategy for Success

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is making a big push to develop its U-23 men’s national football team, aiming for consistent international exposure and long-term growth. This comes after a period of struggles for the team, with limited opportunities for matches and lackluster performances in major tournaments like the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the Asian Games.

Shifting Gears: Focus on Regular Camps and FIFA Window Utilization

The AIFF is implementing a new strategy to address these challenges. Coach Naushad Moosa has been tasked with building a more cohesive unit, and the team will now participate in regular camps alongside the senior national team. This shift aims to utilize every FIFA window for U-23 development, ensuring consistent training and international exposure.

Youth Success and the U-23 Gap

India’s youth football has seen success at the U-16 level, qualifying for the AFC U-17 Championship multiple times. However, this success hasn’t translated to the U-20 and U-23 age brackets. A lack of regular matches has been a major issue, with the U-20 and U-23 teams often only coming together just before important qualifiers.

A Record of Struggles

The India U-23 team has struggled in recent years. They’ve won only 7 out of 18 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers since 2014, and their performance in the Asian Games has also been underwhelming. In 2018, the team wasn’t even sent to the Asian Games due to disagreements with the Indian Olympic Association.

Looking Ahead: 29 Players Selected for Kolkata Camp

The AIFF has selected 29 players for a preparatory camp in Kolkata. The list includes several ISL regulars and promising young talents. The team will face Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in June 2025 as part of preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in September 2025.