India’s U23 men’s national team is set to embark on a crucial phase of their preparations for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a pair of friendly matches against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic this week. Head coach Naushad Moosa named a 23-member squad on Monday before the team departed for Hisor, Tajikistan.

The matches are scheduled at the Hisor Central Stadium, located roughly 25 kilometres from the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. India will face Tajikistan on June 18 and Kyrgyz Republic on June 21, with both fixtures kicking off at 8:30 PM IST.

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, coach Moosa emphasized the importance of these matches in shaping the squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers. “After these friendlies, we will get more understanding of our players and what else we need to work on. The opponents are of a pretty good level, I believe,” Moosa stated. “It’s important to play against such teams when you’re preparing for the U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where we will face Qatar and Bahrain.”

The squad includes a blend of emerging talents from across the country. Goalkeepers Mohd Arbaz, Priyansh Dubey, and Sahil will be tasked with guarding the net, while the defense features promising names like Bikash Yumnam, Dippendu Biswas, and Tekcham Abhishek Singh. Midfield duties will be handled by the likes of Vibin Mohanan, Lalrinliana Hnamte, and Ayush Chhetri, among others. Up front, the attacking line is spearheaded by Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, and Joseph Sunny.

These friendlies are a vital assessment window for the coaching staff to evaluate player performances under international conditions. The Indian U23 team, often referred to as the Blue Colts, is aiming to make a strong impact in September when they face tough group opponents Qatar and Bahrain in the qualifiers.

With Hisor providing the stage, the upcoming matches offer a preview of what fans can expect from the next generation of Indian football stars as they aim to make their mark on the continental stage.