India’s senior women’s football team has named a 29-member squad for the upcoming friendly matches scheduled from January 18 to 24, 2026, in Türkiye. In preparation for the matches, on Monday, January 12, the Indian team, also known as the Blue Tigresses, have already begun their training camp in Gurugram, Haryana. The team will continue with their training session on January 14.
On January 15, the Blue Tigresses will leave for Antalya, Türkiye, to play the three friendly matches which will play a big part in their preparation for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia scheduled from March 1, 2026.
As per the friendly match fixtures, the Blue Tigresses will play their first on January 18 against FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv (Ukraine), followed by FC Zürich Frauen (Switzerland) on January 21, and finally ending with FC Schlieren (Switzerland) scheduled on January 24.
India is among the eight teams to qualify for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup after finishing as the top team in Group B of the tournament qualifiers held in July 2025. The Blue Tigresses defeated teams like Thailand, Iraq, Timor-Leste, and Mongolia. India is placed in Group C of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 alongside Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is scheduled to begin from March 1 to 21 in Australia.
The Blue Tigresses will make their first appearance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after 2003. India was host to the 2022 edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, but had to withdraw from the event due to the COVID-19 outbreak occurring in the squad. The Indian women’s football team has finished as runners-up in the 1980 and 1983 editions. Meanwhile, in the 1981 edition, they finished in third place.
India Women’s 29-member senior squad for friendlies match
Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Sowmiya Narayanasamy, Shreya Hooda, Adrija Sarkhel.
Defenders: Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju, Malati Munda, Astam Oraon, Sarita Yumnam, Sushmita Lepcha, Martina Thokchom.
Midfielders: Sangita Basfore, Babina Devi Lisham, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Anju Tamang, Karthika Angamuthu, Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum.
Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Soumya Guguloth, Karishma Shirvoikar, Rimpa Haldar, Malavika P, Pyari Xaxa, Lynda Kom Serto, Kaviya Pakkirisamy.
Blue Tigresses friendly match schedule
1. January 18 – India vs FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv,
2. January 21 – India vs FC Zürich Frauen
3. January 24 – India vs FC Schlieren
