A substitute in her last international appearance, and the undisputed winner of it all. Grace Dangmei bids adieu to International Football.
On 6th of June, 2026, the skipper of the Indian Women’s Football team, Grace Dangmei, called time on her international career. The announcement came after she led India to their sixth SAFF Women’s Championship title in Goa, India.
India won the match 3-1, defeating the defending champions, Bangladesh. Notably, she didn’t start the match on the field; she was a substitute for the particular match.
Dangmei made her debut for the Indian senior side during the 2013 AFC Qualifiers and went on to score 24 goals during her 95 appearances for the national side.
In the 2020 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier round 2 match, Dangmei’s brace against Indonesia gave her the well-deserved fame.
She has also represented India at the 2021 International Women’s Football Tournament of Manaus.
Another notable win to add to her stellar resume would be her scoring a goal during India’s 3-0 victory over Pakistan at the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship, held in Nepal.
She was born in the village of Dimdailong, Manipur, and was part of India’s wins in the 2016 and 2019 SAFF Championships, as well as part of the 2016 and 2019 South Asian Games squads that won gold medals.
The champion also enjoyed her time at several clubs. She played for:
• KRYPSHA (during the inaugural season of the Indian Women’s League)
• Sethu
• Gokulum Kerala (which was nominated by AIFF to represent India in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2021)
• Sribhumi, which she currently plays for
In 2022, Grace also played for the Uzbek Women’s League Side, FC Nasaf Karshi, where she scored 4 goals in 14 matches and helped them win the league and the cup.
In the 2021 AFC Women’s Club Championship, she had a brilliant performance against FC Bunyodkor, in which her side emerged victorious by 3-1.
Other than this, she has won several accolades:
• 2018-19 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year
• FPPAI Indian Player of the Year (Woman): 2023
• Indian Women’s League Emerging Player: 2017-18
Her retirement means India loses a true stateswoman of the game. It is only fitting that she won her last championship as a farewell gift to her country. Farewell, Grace.
