Indian women’s national football team Manisha Kalyan had joined the team’s camp for the AFC Asia Cup 2026 preparations. The forward was playing for the Peruvian team, Alianza Lima. On Thursday, February 26, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) released the news in their statement that read, “Forward Manisha Kalyan has arrived in Perth to join the Indian senior women’s team’s training camp ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.”
Kalyan made her senior international debut for the Blue Tigresses back in January 2019 against Indonesia. The same year, she scored her first international goal against Bangladesh during the SAFF Women’s Championship. Her third career international goal was scored on October 2, 2021, against the United Arab Emirates. India won by a score of 4-1.
In 2021, the forward was part of the Indian squad that toured Brazil for the International Women’s Football Tournament of Manaus. In that tour, Kalyan made it to the record books after scoring against Brazil on November 26. India, however, lost by 6-1.
Manisha Kalyan’s achievements and accolades
Kalyan’s most recent participation came in February 2024, where she played for India at the Turkish Women’s Cup. The Blue Tigresses finished as runners-up in that tournament. Kalyan is, however, the first Indian to play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Apollon Ladies.
The Indian forward carries several achievements to her name, including six major trophies won as part of two countries, India and Cyprus. In the Indian Women’s League, she had won two titles under Gokulam Kerala (2019–20, 2021–22), bagged two Cypriot First Division titles (in 2022–23 and 2023–24), followed by the Cypriot Women’s Cup and the Cypriot Women’s Super Cup titles with Apollon Ladies.
The Indian squad is looking in good shape and ready to take over the international stage while making their comeback after 17 years. The 26-member national squad features several names from the domestic front. Around eight players from the East Bengal FC will be part of the squad, followed by six from Sethu FC and four from Sribhumi FC. NITA FA has sent three players to the squad, while two will join from Gokulam Kerala FC and one from Garhwal United FC.
