AFC Women's Asian Cup
The South Asian side sealed automatic qualification to the continental showpiece for the first time and will be determined to stamp their mark against Asia's best.
Factfile
FIFA World Ranking: 67
Previous appearances: 9
Best placing: Runners-up (2)
2022 result: Withdrew
How they got there: Qualifiers Group B winners
Group C fixtures - March 4: v Vietnam; March 7: v Japan; March 10 v Chinese Taipei
Fun fact: Prior to hosting the 2022 edition, India's last appearance on the continental stage was in 2003
FIFA World Ranking: 67
Previous appearances: 9
Best placing: Runners-up (2)
2022 result: Withdrew
How they got there: Qualifiers Group B winners
Group C fixtures - March 4: v Vietnam; March 7: v Japan; March 10 v Chinese Taipei
Fun fact: Prior to hosting the 2022 edition, India's last appearance on the continental stage was in 2003
Having been forced to withdraw from the 2022 edition on home soil following a COVID-19 outbreak in the squad, India were determined to earn their place at Australia 2026.
Such was their drive that when the dust settled in Group B of the Qualifiers, India returned home with a perfect 12 points.
They kicked off their campaign with a 13-0 win over Mongolia, which was followed by a 4-0 triumph against Timor-Leste.
A 5-0 defeat of Iraq set up a final day showdown with Thailand, who also entered the tie with a perfect record of three wins.
India got off to a dream start, with Sangita Basfore giving them the lead in the 28th minute.
Thailand fought back to draw level through Chatchawan Rodthong in the 47th minute but the Blue Tigresses were not to be denied their place in history, with Sangita netting the winner in the 74th minute.
Australia 2026, however, will be a much tougher challenge and newly-appointed head coach Amelia Valverde will have her work cut out, having only taken over in January during India's training camp in Turkiye but will have the support of Crispin Chettri as assistant, who was the head coach during the Qualifiers.
"Personally, I take it as a great responsibility, as I have said from the beginning. I’m very excited, but I also don’t want to take it only on an emotional level. I’m very much aware of the tournament we are about to play," said Valverde.
"I feel the group is super motivated. We still have time, and controlling emotions and managing everything we carry inside will be key. We have a group that works spectacularly and trains very well. The better we train, the closer we get to being able to compete very well. That’s where our energy and focus are right now."
