What’s Next for India Women After Asian Cup Qualification?

New Delhi, July 9 (NationPress) It has been four days since India's groundbreaking achievement of qualifying for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. However, the excitement from the celebrations is far from fading, and the enthusiasm surrounding women's football continues to rise.

The significance of this milestone cannot be overstated, as it marks a pivotal moment for the Indian women's team, potentially transforming the landscape of women's football in the nation. The stakes are incredibly high, as the Women's Asian Cup serves as a crucial pathway to the FIFA Women's World Cup.

This is why the Blue Tigresses are not taking a pause after their inaugural 'qualification' for the Asian Cup. Coach Crispin Chhetri quickly addressed the team after the match, emphasizing the challenge ahead. Following a wave of emotions, hugs, and tears, Chhetri gathered the players and stated, "The pinnacle of one achievement is merely the starting point of another. We must continue to evolve and develop as a unit. We have reached the Asian Cup, and now we set our sights on the World Cup. We must keep dreaming."

Team captain Ngangbam Sweety Devi, who was overcome with emotions after the final whistle, eventually shared her thoughts, still processing the charged atmosphere of the night.

"Honestly, it’s still hard to articulate," remarked the center-back. "There were so many mixed feelings. It felt surreal. We kept reassuring each other, 'Yes, it has happened, we’ve actually done it.' That feeling… it’s beyond words. Anyone involved in or supporting women’s football understands the gravity of qualifying. It was an overwhelming experience."

This dream has faced numerous setbacks in the past, with none more heartbreaking than the withdrawal from the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2022, hosted by India, due to a COVID outbreak. The Blue Tigresses had only competed in one match, a 0-0 draw against Iran, and were theoretically just three games away from World Cup qualification before their aspirations were dashed.

Moreover, they achieved this against formidable opposition. This was Futoshi Ikeda's Thailand, the coach who led Japan to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. Although he had previously outclassed eventual world champions Spain 4-0, his team had no answers for the Blue Tigresses last Saturday.

Captaining India on such a historic occasion is a memory that will be cherished by Sweety Devi, who, at just 25 years old, already boasts 66 caps. Chettri rotated the captaincy during the qualifiers, assigning it during the morning team meeting and officially handing the armband in the locker room. Sweety led against Mongolia, Sangita captained against Timor-Leste, and Sanju took charge against Iraq.

While the leadership may shift, for Sweety, this success belongs to the entire team—both those on the field and those behind the scenes, including coaches and support staff. This accomplishment is a testament to everyone involved.

"It’s always an honor to be captain, but this triumph reflects the entire team. It’s not just about me. I wear the armband because of the team's trust. Every player, every staff member has contributed. This success is for the entire team and the nation as a whole," she stated.

India will learn about their opponents in the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 during the draw scheduled for July 29. Twelve teams will be divided into three groups of four each. India finds itself in Pot 4, facing potential adversaries from Pot 1 like Australia, Japan, or DPR Korea, from Pot 2 like China, Korea Republic, or Vietnam, and from Pot 3 like the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, or Uzbekistan.

The top two teams from each group and the two best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final victors will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will compete in play-offs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two play-off losers will have another opportunity to qualify for Brazil through inter-confederation play-offs.