Naushad Moosa is set to continue his role as the head coach of the India U23 men's national team, with a focus on preparing the squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the announcement on May 20, 2025, entrusting Moosa with the responsibility of shaping the "Blue Colts" into a competitive unit for the prestigious tournament.
Moosa's appointment is part of a long-term plan laid out by the AIFF, in coordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to strengthen the U23 team. AIFF Deputy Secretary General Satyanarayan M. emphasized the need for focused development of the U23 squad, particularly addressing the issue of limited game time for some players at the club level. The federation aims to bridge this gap by arranging exposure matches against similarly aged, competitive international teams during FIFA International Windows.
Moosa, who previously coached the India U23s in two friendly matches against Malaysia in March 2025, will officially take charge on June 1, 2025, when the team commences its training camp in Kolkata. Before the Asian Games, the team has two exposure matches scheduled in Dushanbe against Tajikistan on June 18 and the Kyrgyz Republic on June 21.
The AIFF plans to utilize the FIFA International Windows in September, October, November, and March to organize short training camps of 10-14 days for the U23 team. These camps will include matches against other U23 teams from around Asia. A longer camp is planned ahead of the June 2026 FIFA International Window, when no club matches are scheduled, allowing for more intensive preparation.
In addition to the Asian Games, the India U23 team will also participate in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The draw for the qualifiers is set to be held on May 29, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Moosa expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to the role, stating, "Representing my country, whether as a player or a coach, is always an honor. I'm confident we can continue to grow and make the country proud." He also highlighted the importance of the upcoming June games in preparing for the Asian Games and the AFC U23 Asian Cup, emphasizing the opportunity to assess player responses under pressure, refine tactics, and build team cohesion. "Our goal is to be fully prepared for these major tournaments by testing ourselves against strong opposition," Moosa added.
Prior to this appointment, Moosa served NorthEast United FC in a triple role as assistant coach, reserve team coach, and head of youth development. He has a wealth of experience across various levels of Indian football. He has previously served as the interim head coach of Bengaluru FC and has been instrumental in developing young talents. His career includes coaching roles with Mumbai FC's youth team, Pune FC's U19 side (where he won two I-League U20 titles), and Air India. As a player, Moosa represented India from 1994 to 1998 and played for prominent clubs like East Bengal, Mahindra United, and Mohammedan.
