When did India begin their AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign?

India began their AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign on March 4th against Vietnam.

What issues did the Indian women's football team face in preparation for the Asian Cup?

The team faced significant delays in the Indian Women's League, a condensed match schedule, and a lack of international friendlies, with issues also arising from visa processing.

How much time did coach Amelia Valverde have to prepare the team?

Coach Amelia Valverde had only two months to prepare the team for the tournament.

Home / Sports / Haphazard Prep Clouds India's Asian Cup Hopes

Haphazard Prep Clouds India's Asian Cup Hopes

2 Mar

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Summary

Women's team qualified for Asian Cup, but faced team preparation uncertainty.
Planned league and international friendlies were delayed or altered significantly.
Coach Amelia Valverde has limited time to impact the squad effectively.

Haphazard Prep Clouds India's Asian Cup Hopes

India's AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign began on March 4th against Vietnam, with the team aiming to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Their qualification in July was overshadowed by uncertainty within Indian football's ecosystem, despite a $50,000 cash reward and promises from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The Indian Women's League, initially slated from September 2025 to January 2026, was delayed and began on December 20th, with the U-20 women's team not participating. Seven matches were condensed into 20 days, with simultaneous kick-offs, creating a challenging schedule.