Women’s Asian Cup 2026: India to open campaign against Vietnam in Perth

March 3, 2026

Perth: After four years of disappointment, the Indian senior women’s football team will begin its campaign against Vietnam in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 on Wednesday. The match will be played at the Perth Rectangular Stadium, Australia.

The Blue Tigresses’ World Cup dreams were dashed by their withdrawal from the 2022 Asian Cup, but a strong performance in the qualifiers last year earned them a second chance. This is the first time India has qualified for the Asian Cup on merit.

New coach, new hope

Costa Rica coach Amelia Valverde, who took charge of the team this year, said that past disappointments are now history.

“That was four years ago. Now we have a new opportunity to prove ourselves. We want to represent the country to the best of our ability.”

12 teams are participating in the Asian Cup. The four semi-finalists will directly qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

52-day preparation, camps in three countries

India (FIFA ranking 67) conducted a 52-day camp to prepare for the Asian Cup, which was held across three continents. The team first trained in Gurugram, then in Antalya, Turkey, and arrived in Perth three weeks before the tournament.

Coach Valverde said the early arrival helped the team acclimatize to the weather and conditions.

Vietnam a strong opponent

Valverde described Vietnam as a strong team, having played in the previous World Cup and playing under the guidance of long-time coach Mai Đức Chung.

Indian captain Sweety Devi Nganbam also said the team is fully prepared and committed to giving its best.

tough Challenge in Group C

India is in Group C, which also includes former champions Japan and Chinese Taipei. The top two teams from this four-team group and the best third-placed team will advance to the quarterfinals.

For India, this campaign is not just a tournament, but a golden opportunity to prove itself on the international stage.