Who Is In The Squad For The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers In Thailand?
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Synopsis
Crispin Chettri has unveiled a strong 24-member squad for the Indian senior women's team as they prepare for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers. With a mix of youth and experience, the Blue Tigresses aim to secure their place in the prestigious tournament in Australia.
Key Takeaways
- Strong squad of 24 members announced for the qualifiers.
- Training in Chiang Mai to acclimatize to weather conditions.
- Group B matches include Mongolia, Timor Leste, Iraq, and Thailand.
- The finals will be held in Australia in March 2026.
- Women's Asian Cup also acts as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027.
New Delhi, June 16 (NationPress) The head coach of the Indian senior women's team, Crispin Chettri, revealed a 24-member squad set to travel to Thailand for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers on Monday.
The final roster of 23 players for the Qualifiers will be finalized prior to the opening match. The Blue Tigresses are in Group B of the Qualifiers, where they will compete against Mongolia (June 23), Timor Leste (June 29), Iraq (July 2), and host nation Thailand (July 5).
The winners of each group will secure a spot in the final tournament in Australia in March 2026. Additionally, the Women's Asian Cup will also act as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
Chettri and his team will arrive in Thailand on Monday evening and will conduct a week of training in the northern city of Chiang Mai before their first match. All games will be held at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium. Prior to this, the Blue Tigresses trained for six weeks at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru and played two friendly matches against Uzbekistan on May 30 and June 3, facing defeats of 0-1 in both encounters.
"I was pleased with our training in Bengaluru," said Chettri. "We trained for over 40 days, and the facilities were top-notch. Our squad comprises a good mix of youth and experience. Sadly, we had to drop forwards like Karishma Shirvoikar, Sandhiya Ranganathan, and Renu due to injuries, which is part of the game. Compared to our squad for the Pink Ladies Cup in February, we are now accompanied by more seasoned players.
Chettri experimented with various combinations during the friendlies against Uzbekistan, rotating up to eight players for the second match and giving five players their debut.
"We had a specific strategy for those friendlies. It was crucial to find the right lineup for the qualifiers since we'll play nearly four matches in just 13 days. Ensuring player rotation and recovery is vital. In the second game, we created significantly more chances than in the first, but converting them remains an area of focus for us moving forward," Chettri stated.
To acclimatize to the humid climate of Chiang Mai, the Blue Tigresses will arrive a week ahead of their first match against Mongolia. They will also have a five-day interval before facing Timor Leste in their second match.
"I'm grateful to the federation for sending us to Thailand early. This provides us with ample time for acclimatization and recovery. While the weather in Bengaluru has been quite pleasant, Chiang Mai is hot and humid during this season. This week will significantly help our preparations," Chettri added.
India squad for 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, Manisha Naik, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.
Head Coach: Crispin Chettri
Assistant Coach: Priya PV
Assistant Coach: Nivetha Ramadoss
Goalkeeper Coach: Mario Luis Aguiar
Strength and Conditioning Coach: Chelston Pinto
AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 Qualifiers Group B Schedule:
June 23: Mongolia vs India
June 29: India vs Timor Leste
July 2: India vs Iraq
July 5: Thailand vs India
Point of View
It is essential to highlight the dedication and resilience of the Indian women's football team. The preparations under Crispin Chettri's leadership reflect a commitment to excellence and a strategic approach to the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers. The blend of experienced players with emerging talent is crucial for the team's success, and we stand firmly behind their journey.
NationPress
16/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who announced the squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers?
The squad was announced by Crispin Chettri, the head coach of the Indian senior women's team.
When will the final squad be confirmed?
The final squad of 23 players will be confirmed before the first match of the Qualifiers.
Which teams are in Group B of the Qualifiers?
The teams in Group B are India, Mongolia, Timor Leste, Iraq, and Thailand.
What is the significance of the Women's Asian Cup?
The Women's Asian Cup serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.
Where will the matches be held?
All matches will take place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium in Thailand.
