Indian Women’s Team Set for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 The Indian senior women’s national team, after four years of setbacks, will finally begin their journey at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 on March 4, 2026, with a match against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium. The game, scheduled for 16:30 IST, will be broadcast live on FanCode. This marks the first time India has qualified for the tournament based on merit, following a historic performance in the qualifiers. The Blue Tigresses’ World Cup aspirations were dashed in 2022 when they withdrew from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022. However, their strong showing in the qualifiers last year has provided a second chance. Head coach Amelia Valverde, a Costa Rican national, acknowledged the team’s resilience. “That was four years ago. There are no coincidences in life, though, and we are back here again with a chance to prove ourselves,” she said. Valverde emphasized the team’s determination to represent India effectively. The AFC Women’s Asian Cup offers significant opportunities for the 12 participating nations. The four semi-finalists will secure direct entry to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027, while two losing quarter-finalists will compete for the remaining two direct qualifiers from Asia. The other two teams will enter a Play-off Tournament, which could also grant them a spot in the World Cup. India, ranked 67th in the FIFA Rankings, underwent a 52-day preparation camp spanning three continents. Valverde highlighted the team’s rigorous training and high motivation. “We have worked very hard in the last few weeks, and the motivation is high within the team to get the best possible result for India,” she said.#afc_women_asian_cup_2026 #perth_rectangular_stadium #amelia_valverde #vietnam #indian_women_team
