The draw for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers has placed the India women’s football team in a challenging Group C, alongside Asian heavyweights Japan and regional contenders Vietnam. The tournament, scheduled to be hosted in Uzbekistan, promises high-stakes action as teams battle for a place in the final tournament.
India, currently ranked 61st in the FIFA rankings, will face a daunting task as they go up against Japan — a world football powerhouse and 2011 World Cup winners — and Vietnam, who recently featured in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and have steadily risen in the Asian football hierarchy.
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While Japan are considered overwhelming favourites in the group, India will look to build on their recent progress under coach Thomas Dennerby. With a mix of youth and experience in the squad, including promising talents like Manisha Kalyan and Dangmei Grace, the Blue Tigresses are determined to put up a strong fight.
Vietnam, on the other hand, will pose a stiff challenge. Known for their disciplined gameplay and technical finesse, they have consistently performed well in Southeast Asia and are aiming to progress beyond the qualifiers.
The top team from each group will directly qualify for the final tournament, while a few second-placed teams may also advance depending on their performance across all groups. For India, every point will be crucial.
The tournament presents not just a qualification battle, but also an opportunity for Indian women’s football to shine on the continental stage. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the Blue Tigresses respond to the challenge.
With fixtures set to kick off later this year, the team has already begun preparations, focusing on improving fitness, tactical flexibility, and international match experience.