New Delhi, May 8 -- The Indian women's football team are just a win away from securing a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 spot on merit after the Young Tigresses trounced Lebanon to advance into the quarterfinals of AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup 2026 in China on Friday. The semifinalists in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup 2026 will qualify for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026 to be held in Morocco later in the year.

Although India have featured in a FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2022 by the virtue of being the hosts, but have never qualified on merit. Having lost to Japan and Australia earlier in Group B, it was a do-or-die situation for the Indian women colts in Suzhou. The girls stepped up when needed as they defeated Lebanon 4-0 with...