New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Friday that they have retained eight experienced players from the previous tournament while incorporating six new faces into the 26-member Indian women’s senior team, which will represent India in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 set to take place in Australia.

India finds itself in Group C, commencing their journey against Vietnam on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium at 16:30 IST, followed by a clash with Japan on March 7 at the same time and location. Their final group stage encounter is against Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium at 14:30 IST.

The top two teams from each group, alongside the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarterfinals. The four winners in the quarterfinals will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The quarterfinal losers will compete in playoffs for the last two direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two teams that lose in the playoffs will have another opportunity to qualify through the Play-off Tournament.

Following a four-week training camp in Türkiye, the Blue Tigresses arrived in Perth on February 11.

The squad features eight players who participated in the last Asian Cup held in India in 2022: Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, Manisha Kalyan, and Sowmiya Narayanasamy. Unfortunately, India had to withdraw from the tournament after only one match due to a COVID outbreak within the team.

The squad heading to Australia includes six possible debutants who have yet to earn caps for India — defenders Sarita Yumnam and Sushmita Lepcha, midfielders Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum, and Aveka Singh, along with forward Kaviya Pakkirisamy.

Grace Dangmei stands out as the most experienced player with 23 goals in 91 appearances. The senior-most member of the team is Anju Tamang, who is 30 years old. Shilky Devi Hemam, at 20 years old, is the youngest in the squad.

In terms of club representation, East Bengal FC has the highest number of players in the Asian Cup squad with eight, followed by Sethu FC with six and Sribhumi FC with four. Notably, Aveka Singh and Manisha Kalyan play for clubs abroad, specifically Næstved HG in Denmark and Alianza Lima in Peru, respectively.

India's roster for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 includes:

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.

Head coach: Amelia Valverde

Assistant coach: Crispin Chettri

Assistant coach: Priya PV

Goalkeeping coach: Eli Ávila

Goalkeeping coach: Mario Aguiar

Strength and conditioning coach: José Sánchez.