India women’s football team will begin its preparation for the upcoming Fifa U-17 World Cup by taking on Italy in a four-nation meet at the Gradisca d’lsonzo Stadium near here on Wednesday.

The Thomas Dennerby-coached side, who had a preparatory camp in Jamshedpur, will compete in two tournaments during its exposure tour ahead of the U-17 women’s World Cup in India in October-November.

Italy and Mexico are the two other teams competing in the sixth Torneo Female Football Tournament in Italy from June 22-26.

Coach Dennerby said Italy would be a tough nut to crack but his priority is not the result but the overall progress of the team. “We are playing Italy, and it is bound to be a tough game. The only expectation is to have a good performance. I want to see how the team develops,” the Swede said.

After Italy, the Indians will move to Norway for the Open Nordic Tournament WU16 from July 1-7.