Indian football — How can India women qualify for AFC Asian Cup? Qualifiers' schedule, live streaming info
It wouldn't be completely wrong to note that the continent's premier competition has been somewhat ill-fated for the Blue Tigresses in the last few decades.
India last made it to the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2003. And when they hosted the tournament in 2022, a COVID outbreak in the team meant that India had to withdraw after only the first game and the results were declared void.
So, when head coach Crispin Chettri and his Blue Tigresses landed in Thailand on June 16, their only goal was to earn that ticket to Australia and become the first Indian squad to qualify for the AFC Women's Asian Cup via the qualifiers' route.
While India has three podium finishes in the erstwhile Asian Women's Championship (runners-up in 1980 and 1983, and third place in 1981), this is the time to create new history in the 21st century.
India (ranked 70th) will face Mongolia (ranked 126th), Timor Leste (ranked 158th), Iraq (ranked 173rd) and hosts Thailand (ranked 46th). Only the group winner will qualify for the final tournament in Australia in March 2026.
The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 will also serve as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.
Apart from Thailand, India have never faced the other three Group B opponents before.
India squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Moirangthem Monalisha Devi, Payal Basude.
Defenders: Hemam Shilky Devi, Kiran Pisda, Martina Thokchom, Ngangbam Sweety Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi, Purnima Kumari, Sanju, Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu.
Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Grace Dangmei, Karthika Angamuthu, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Priyadharshini Selladurai, Sangita Basfore.
Forwards: Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.
Head Coach: Crispin Chettri
AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule:
Date Match Kick-off time (in IST) Venue June 23 Mongolia vs India 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand June 29 India vs Timor Leste 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand July 2 India vs Iraq 2:30 pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand July 5 Thailand vs India 6:00pm 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand
How to watch India's AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers?
Unfortunately, India's matches in the AFC Women's Asian Cup will not be broadcast on the television. However, they can be live streamed on Thai Women's Football Facebook Page and Changsuek YouTube Channel.
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