On Friday, February 20, the All India Football Federation announced a 26-member squad of the Indian senior team for the AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Australia. The Blue Tigresses will have their newly appointed head coach, Amelia Valverde. Meanwhile, Crispin Chhetri has been demoted to the assistant coach role. He led the team in the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held last year.
Among the 26 members in the squad, eight of them were part of India’s 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup team. Besides catering for the event as hosts, the Blue Tigresses had to withdraw due to a COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, six of the players are set to make their debut with the senior national team in the 2026 edition.
Also joining the squad is Priya PV, who will be part of the team as an assistant coach. Eli Ávila and Mario Aguiar will join as the goalkeeping coaches.
The Blue Tigresses were the first team to arrive in Perth, starting their preparation for the tournament. They have their first match scheduled against Vietnam on March 4. The AFC Women’s Asia Cup is set to begin from March 1 to 21, 2026. Australia is the host of the tournament.
The Indian women’s team has been placed in Group C alongside Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese Taipei. Back on October 17, 2025, the Blue Tigresses earned their qualification in the tournament after defeating Uzbekistan in the Group G qualifiers match. The Indian women’s team had last appeared in the tournament back in the 2005 edition, in which it made a direct entry among the 11 participating teams.
Only six teams, including four semi-finalists, will make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification, which will be played in Brazil next year.
The ticket sales have begun for the AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $10 for kids.
Indian squad for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup
Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Martina Thokchom, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju, Sarita Yumnam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sushmita Lepcha, Sweety Devi Ngangbam
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Aveka Singh, Babina Devi Lisham, Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore
Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Kaviya Pakkirisamy, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth
