18 Manipur Players Join India U20 Football Team Squad

Eighteen young football players from Manipur have been selected for the 30-member India U20 Men's national squad. These athletes are currently preparing for two international friendly matches against Singapore being held at the Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.

Performance in Friendly Matches

The Indian team played the first friendly match on Monday, August 3, and secured a 3-0 victory against Singapore. Players from Manipur were instrumental in this win, with Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam scoring the opening goal during first-half stoppage time. Singamayum Shami added a second goal in the 63rd minute, and the final goal was an own goal by the opposition.

Preparation for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Under the guidance of coach Mahesh Gawali, the team is using these games as preparation for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers. These qualifiers are scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan from August 31 to September 6. The current squad is training hard to ensure they are ready for the competitive tournament ahead.

Representation in the National Squad

With 18 players in the 30-man roster, footballers from Manipur make up over half of the national team. These players are serving in key positions across the defense, midfield, and forward lines. The second match between India and Singapore is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.