India has announced a 26-member squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. The tournament is scheduled from March 1-21 in Australia.
A total of 12 teams will take part at AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026. They have been divided into three groups. The top two sides from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals.
The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will contest the play-offs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two play-off losers will have another chance of qualifying for Brazil via the Play-off Tournament.
After a four-week camp in Türkiye, the Indian football team arrived in Perth on February 11. Among the 26 players in the squad, eight were part of the last Asian Cup that was hosted by India in 2022- Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sanju Yadav, Anju Tamang, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, Manisha Kalyan and Sowmiya Narayanasamy.
India’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 squad consists of six potential debutants who are yet to be capped for India- defenders Sarita Yumnam and Sushmita Lepcha, midfielders Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum and Aveka Singh, and forward Kaviya Pakkirisamy.
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Grace Dangmei is the highest-capped player and top-scorer in India’s squad with 23 goals in 91 appearances. Born in 1995, Anju Tamang is the seniormost player at 30 years old. As she was in the 2022 edition, Shilky Devi Hemam is the youngest in the Indian squad, now 20 years old.
As far as club representation is concerned, East Bengal FC have the most players in India’s Asian Cup squad — eight, followed by Sethu FC with six and Sribhumi FC with four. Aveka Singh and Manisha Kalyan, who play for Næstved HG (Denmark) and Alianza Lima (Peru), respectively, are the only two players who play for clubs abroad.
Also Read: Top 5 Indian Players To Watch In Domestic Football In 2026 – Profiles, Form And Future Prospects
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AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India Squad
Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy.
Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Martina Thokchom, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju Yadav, 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
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India Schedule
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India is placed in Group C along with Vietnam, Japan and Chiese Taipei.
March 4: Vietnam at Perth Rectangular Stadium (16:30 IST)
March 7: Japan at Perth Rectangular Stadium (16:30 IST)
March 10: Chinese Taipei at the Western Sydney Stadium (14:30 IST)
