India Knocked Out of FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Group Stage

India, 28 December 2025 — India's journey at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup came to an end as they failed to advance past the group stage. The tournament, held in India, saw the host nation finish at the bottom of Group A after a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria on Wednesday. This result follows earlier losses to Brazil and the United States.

The Indian team, led by coach Priya Singh, struggled against the formidable opponents in their group. Their opening match against Brazil ended in a 4-0 loss, while they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the United States in their second game. The team managed to score their only goal of the tournament against Nigeria, courtesy of forward Ananya Mehra.

The elimination marks a disappointing end to India's campaign, despite significant preparations and home advantage. The All India Football Federation had aimed to leverage the tournament to boost the profile of women's football in the country.

India's exit from the group stage highlights the challenges faced by the team in competing at the highest level. Nigeria and Brazil have advanced to the knockout stages, showcasing their strength in the competition. The tournament continues, with the knockout rounds set to commence later this week.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup being hosted in India is seen as a critical opportunity for the country to develop young female athletes and inspire a new generation of footballers. Despite the early exit, the experience gained by the team is expected to contribute to future growth in the sport.